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1 



The Life of Faith 

AND 

OTHER SERMONS 
By 

REV. WILLIAM McK. HESTER, D. D., 

OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE. 



I 



PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 

By THE WESTERN METHODIST BOOK CONCERN, 

Cincinnati. 



A 54-5 LS 



L18HARY of SOSSRcSS 
Tvw Qapies rteceiveu ; 



JUN 



S905 



Gowrngm. tmry 
■ 2.0,/ 9 C5 
Oi-hSS ^ AXc No; 

C-OPY 8. 



Copyright, 1905, by 
William McK. Hester. 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 031697 



GREETING. 

The publication of these sermons is inspired with 
the hope that they may be the means of accomplishing 
some good. After trying to preach the Gospel for 
over fifty years, there is still the earnest desire to 
bear some humble part in extending the knowledge 
of the story of the cross. To all who have waited 
upon my ministry in other days, and to the stranger 
as well, hearty greetings are hereby extended, accom- 
panied with the prayer that this presentation of the 
simple truths of the Gospel may awaken the 
thought, strengthen the faith, and increase the 
ioy of him who readeth. 

Wm. McK. Hester. 



CONTENTS. 

SERMON. PAGE. 

I. The Life of Faith, 7 

II. All Things Are Yours, 24 

III. A Mind to Work, ---.40 

IV. The Church — Its Origin and Its 

Perpetuity, - - - - - 61 

V. Salvation by Grace, - - - -82 

VI. Resurrection of Christ, 99 

VII. Individual Duty, - - - - 115 

VIII. Balm in Gilead, - - - - 134 

IX. Prayer, - - - - - - 151 

X. Rejoice Evermore, - - - - 168 

XI. Not Ashamed of the Gospel, - - 184 

XII. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, - 203 

XIII. Edom's Conqueror, - - - - 217 

XIV. Inheritance of God's Children, - 234 
XV. Jehovah -Jireh, - 247 

XVI. He First Loved Us, - - - 261 

XVII. David and His Sling, - - - 278 

XVIII. The Living Sacrifice, - - - 294 

XIX. Gideon's Band, ----- 308 

XX. Jesus Knocking at the Door, - - 325 

XXI. The Gospel Mirror, - - - 340 

5 



THE LIFE OF FAITH. 

"And the life which I now live in the flesh I live 
by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me 
and gave Himself for me." — Gai,. u, 20. 

EiFE is something that enters into our every 
thought and word. Its manifestations are so abun- 
dant that we constantly think about it and talk 
about it. There is life everywhere. There is life 
above us and life beneath us. There is life on the 
right hand and life on the left hand. There is life 
without us and life within us. If we go down into 
the ocean's depths and pluck the moss from the 
unfathomed rock we will find that it has life in it; 
as well have the blades of grass that spring up 
along our pathway and the shrubs and trees that 
grow on the hills around us. If we take the drop 
of water and bring it before the magnifying-glass 
we will find that the tiny insect that is in it, invisi- 
ble to the natural eye, has life in it; so also have 
the reptiles that creep in the dust, the birds that 
fly in the air, and the beasts that roam over the 
earth. Life also is a term that is figuratively used 

7 



8 The Life of Faith. 

to denote the various avocations of men in the 
world. We speak of the work of the farmer as 
the farmer's life, the employment of the mechanic 
as the mechanic's life, the business of the merchant, 
the practice of the physician, the pleadings of the 
attorney, as the life they live. But the apostle in 
the text brings to our view a life that is both real 
and earnest, a life that is most exalted and most 
wonderful. It is the life that is begotten in the 
soul of man by the Spirit of God ; it is that principle 
which is imparted to man's heart when he becomes 
a child of God; it is salvation from the guilt and 
dominion of sin wrought by Divine grace; it is 
God living in man and man living in God; it is 
"the life of faith in the Son of God, who loved us 
and gave Himself for us." 

The apostle in this Epistle is correcting a griev- 
ous error that was threatening injury to the 
Churches of Galatia. Certain teachers had come 
that way who were preaching doctrines that were 
contrary to the simplicity and purity of the Gospel. 
They claimed that the performance of the works of 
the law was the condition of salvation; that only 
by observing Mosaic ordinances and Jewish cere- 
monies could man be justified; that only by obe- 
dience to the law could the sinner obtain pardon 
and the believer retain the Divine approval. Paul 
points out the erroneous nature of such teachings. 
He reminds the Galatians of the fact that they had 
been converted from lives of sinfulness, not be- 
cause they performed the ceremonies of the law, 



The Life of Faith. 9 

but because they repented of sin and believed on 
the Lord Jesus Christ. He tells them that they 
had experienced this glorious salvation, not on ac- 
count of works done, but because of the exercise of 
faith; and he shows them that this life in their 
hearts, which was begun by faith, was to be con- 
tinued by faith. As his custom often was in his 
sermons and in his letters, he refers for illustration 
to his own religious experience. He testifies that 
he obtained pardon for sin by exercising faith in 
Jesus. This new life was begotten in his soul when 
he accepted Christ as his Savior by faith. As he 
had begun to live this life by faith, so he continued 
to realize its joyful presence by continuing to exer- 
cise faith. And with tender emphasis he declares 
to them, "The life which I now live in the flesh I 
live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me 
and gave Himself for me." 

These words are used by Paul, not merely as a 
preacher of the Gospel nor as a Divinely appointed 
teacher of holy things, nor exclusively as the great 
apostle to the Gentiles, but as a sinner saved. 
Therefore, others who have experienced this great 
salvation may bear the same joyful testimony. You 
and I, if sinners saved by grace, if rejoicing in the 
same glorious assurance, may, with Paul, declare, 
the one to the other, and to all the world around, 
"The life which I now live in the flesh I live by 
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave 
Himself for me." 



io The Life of Faith. 

I. These Words Clearly Teach that Christ is 
the source and that faith is the condition of 
spiritual life. "I live by faith in the Son of 
God/' 

The apostle speaks of the Christian as living a 
twofold life. The one is the life of the flesh, and 
the other is the life of faith. The one is the physical 
or animal life, the other is the moral or spiritual 
life. The spiritual life is that which is begotten in 
the believing heart by the grace of God. It is the 
resurrection of the soul from the death of sin to 
the life of righteousness. It is while living in the 
flesh to be so united to Christ that while the material 
man, or the life of the flesh, draws all its supplies 
of strength from material sources, the spiritual man, 
or the life of faith, is quickened, sustained, and 
made to grow by the stream of Divine grace that 
flows from the heart of a loving Savior. 

The Savior illustrates this truth in His conversa- 
tion with His disciples. He said to them, "I am 
the vine, ye are the branches." He emphasized the 
necessity of the constant connection of the branch 
with the vine that the branch might live and bear 
fruit. We may go to the vineyard to-day, and if 
with a knife we sever the branch from the vine 
we know it will die. Only so long as the branch 
is united to the vine will it live. While this con- 
nection remains undisturbed, nourishment flowing 
up from the soil through the vine into the branches 
will cause them to live and grow and bear fruit, — 
the Christian as the branch is united to Christ, the 



The: Life of Faith. ii 

vine, by faith. He lives while he continues to trust 
in Christ; he dies when faith ceases. From the 
warm and loving heart of Jesus flows the current 
of spiritual life to the believing soul and enables 
him to bring forth a harvest of spiritual fruit. Un- 
wavering, undying faith is necessary that there may 
be realized the heart-throbs of spiritual life. The 
Christian ever lives by "looking to Jesus. ,, 

II. The Characteristics of the Life of Faith. 

We speak of the life we live in the flesh as dis- 
tinct from the life of the flesh. What distinguish- 
ing marks does it bear? The Christian tells of his 
conversion, of being made a new creature, of hav- 
ing experienced salvation. But what are the char- 
acteristics of this new life? How is he made cer- 
tain that it is something different from the life of 
the flesh? What is conversion? What is it to be 
made a new creature in Christ Jesus? What are 
the characteristics of this life ? 

I. It is a mysterious life. At the very threshold 
of a life of faith there is mystery. How a soul is 
converted; how the heart is changed and all things 
made new; how Divine grace so operates upon 
man's moral nature as to awaken him from spiritual 
death to spiritual life, is full of mystery. How is 
there begotten in man's soul, that was under con- 
demnation and conscious guilt, a blessed assurance 
of pardon and a spirit of peace and joy ? About this 
whole work of which the Christian testifies there is 
mystery. The life of faith is shrouded in mystery. 



12 The Ljfe o* Faith. 

Jesus clearly refers to this mysterious nature of the 
work of salvation in His conversation with Nico- 
demus. In speaking of the new birth. He says: 
"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest 
the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it Com- 
eth or whither it goeth ; even so is every one that is 
born of the Spirit." You may be sensible of the 
blowing of the wind, but you can not tell where it 
was born or when it will die. There is mystery 
about every passing breeze as well as in the sweep- 
ing blasts of the destructive tornado. So also is 
there mystery about the work of man's salvation. 

You may, however, say that if there is mystery 
about the life of faith you have no desire to embrace 
it. You may demand a religion that is plain and 
that can be easily understood, a godliness that has 
no mystery in it. Some go so far as to reject Chris- 
tianity entirely because they can not fully under- 
stand the work of a soul's salvation. Unable to 
solve the mystery about it, they deny its reality, and 
rejecting the truths of the Gospel, they turn to the 
by-paths of skepticism. They adopt as their rule 
of action to accept as true and real what they can 
comprehend, and to reject as untrue what they can 
not demonstrate by reason or fully understand. In 
their investigation of religious truth they meet with 
the mystery of a life of faith. Being unable to solve 
that mystery by their reasoning powers, being un- 
able to understand how God's Spirit can so operate 
upon man's spirit that he may live a new life, they 
discard the Christian religion as unreal and pro- 



The Life of Faith. 13 

nounjce it simply a delusion. But we may well ask, 
Why adopt a different rule in the investigation of re- 
ligious truth from that observed in the study of all 
other truth? Why do they not act in reference to 
the reality of a life of faith as they do in regard to 
manifestations of all life? Why reject the life of 
faith because it is full of mystery? All life is mys- 
terious. Wherever you meet with life you find it 
shrouded in mystery. You discover in it that which 
reason can not explain or the human mind compre- 
hend. The blade of grass that grows beneath your 
feet has life in it. But who can explain all 
about that life ? You may go to the wisest of phi- 
losophers and ask them to solve the problem of life 
in a simple blade of grass, and they will acknowl- 
edge that they are unable to do it. They can not 
tell how the work of life goes on in the grass, how 
it gathers nourishment from the soil, the sunshine, 
and the showers, and grows thereby; nor how it 
generates seed peculiarly its own. There is mys- 
tery about it, and yet that its life is a reality is ac- 
cepted by all as a fact and without any disputation. 
Take these bodies of ours. We are conscious of 
the life that is in them, the life of the flesh; but 
who can comprehend that life? Who can explain 
how the mind operates upon the material organs 
and controls the physical powers? Who can tell 
how by the exercise of the will we can raise the 
hand or lower it, or move the feet, or perform the 
various acts of life? Who can unfold the wonders 
of memory, of thought, and sensation? Who can 



14 The Life of Faith. 

tell how the heartbeat is kept up, regularly sending 
the life-blood to all parts of the body ? The "life of 
the flesh" is full of mystery. Indeed, all life is 
mysterious, whether it be of a spire of grass, or of 
the bud of a tree, or of bird or beast. And yet no 
one will deny the reality of life in all things around 
simply because he can not fathom its wondrous mys- 
tery. No more should he deny the reality of the 
life of faith. It is true that it is shrouded in mys- 
tery, but this fact affords no reason to doubt its 
reality or to reject it as untrue. Its very mysterious 
nature only the more commends it to us as super- 
natural and Divine. 

2. The life of faith is of God. God Himself is 
its author. The conversion of a soul is not the re- 
sult of human reason. The work of salvation is not 
wrought upon man's moral nature by intellectual 
forces. It is the result of the presence and opera- 
tion of the Divine Spirit. A religion that has life in 
it must be of God ; for all life is of God. 

Man with all his inventive genius can not orig- 
inate life. His greatest skill will fail to impart life 
to any object. The little boy, with a penknife and 
a piece of pine, can, at his leisure, whittle out that 
which has the shape of a tree. He may ingeniously 
carve its body and branches and paint its leaves. 
He may then take it to his mother and proudly say, 
"Ma, this is a tree; I made it." But he can not 
endow it with life. The mechanic or sculptor may 
go to the wood or the quarry, and carve from tree 
or stone that which has the form of a man ; he may 



The Life of Faith. 15 

paint its cheeks and color its eyes ; he may mold to 
nature its mouth and nose and ears so that it will 
perfectly resemble a human being; but with all his 
artistic skill, he can not give it life. It may bear 
all the outward form of a man, yet it is nothing but a 
lifeless automaton. God alone is the author of life. 
He only can give life to grass or tree or animal. 
In order that man may have spiritual life God must 
impart that life to his soul. You may try in your 
religious zeal by your own power to make a Chris- 
tian of your neighbor, to bring him to experience 
spiritual life, but you will fail. You may lead him 
to the Church and enable him to become familiar 
with the forms of religious service; you may teach 
him to sing psalms and hymns of praise ; you may 
have him to say long prayers ; you may write his 
name upon the roll as a Church member. You may 
go farther than that, you may take him to the river 
and baptize him by immersion, or bring him to the 
church and baptize him by affusion. You may do 
more than that, you may write upon his skirts, "This 
is a Christian," or put a placard printed in large 
letters on his back or on his forehead, so that all 
who see him may read, "This is a Christian." But 
after you have done all this, if the Divine Spirit does 
not touch his heart, if the voice of a loving Savior 
does not fall upon his ear and awaken him from 
the death of sin, he will still be without life; he 
will merely remain a spiritual automaton, having the 
form, but without the power of salvation. God 
alone can lift the burden of guilt from man's heart, 



1 6 The Life oe Faith. 

roll back the dark clouds of condemnation and im- 
part peace and joy and life to man's heart. 

3. The life of faith is experimental. He who is 
saved knows it. He is conscious of pardon for sin 
and acceptance with God. Some may deny the ex- 
perimental nature of conversion. Others may fear 
to claim the assurance given of pardon and be un- 
willing to bear testimony to the fact of their salva- 
tion. They may consider the claim of positive 
knowledge that their sins are forgiven as presump- 
tuous, and only express the hope that they are 
adopted into the family of God. But all these 
doubts and fears are without good foundation. The 
blessed assurance is afforded in the fact that the 
life of faith is a conscious life. The apostle clearly 
teaches this truth in the text. He speaks of the 
life which he is living in the flesh as a matter of 
personal knowledge. Consciousness is the test he 
recognizes as proof of the fact, and consciousness is 
the most conclusive, the most reliable of all testi- 
mony. Conclusions drawn from consciousness are 
definite and certain. The testimony of men of well- 
known veracity may be received without questioning 
their word, yet even their statements are not more 
convincing than evidence drawn from conscious- 
ness. Let a man be conscious of pain, or grief, or 
joy, and no argument can cast the shadow of a 
doubt upon his mind in regard to his real condition. 
You are conscious that you can see and hear. The 
most persistent course of reasoning would fail to 
make you believe that you were blind or deaf. You 



The Life oe Faith. 17 

are conscious of being; alive; who could convince 
you that you were only a lifeless corpse, or who 
could arouse in your mind even a doubt as to the 
fact? The Christian is conscious of living "the life 
of faith." He knows that, whereas he was once 
blind, now he can see; whereas he was once spirit- 
ually dead, he is now spiritually alive. He may 
not be able to explain all about the work of his sal- 
vation, but he is conscious of the peace and joy 
that now live in his heart. I can not tell how it 
was, many years ago, in boyhood's early days, how 
it was that after earnest pleading at the mercy-seat 
the burden of guilt was lifted from my heart; how 
it was that the darkness was turned to light, and 
sorrow was changed to joy ; how it was that God's 
Spirit imparted to my spirit the glad assurance of 
sins forgiven; but of the glorious fact I was per- 
fectly conscious. Through the many passing years 
since that hour that blessed consciousness has re- 
mained, and to-day I can gladly bear the testimony 
that, "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by 
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave 
Himself for me." 

4. The life of faith is satisfying. It meets the 
wants and satisfies the longings of man's soul. 

The body has its appetites and its wants. Being 
material itself, its wants must be supplied with ma- 
terial food and material drink. But the soul is a 
spirit; its wants are therefore spiritual, and can 
only be satisfied with spiritual food and spiritual 
drink. Earthly and material things must neces- 
2 



1 8 The Liee oe Faith. 

sarily fail to meet its most earnest longings. They 
who wholly depend for happiness upon earthly 
pleasures, or earthly wealth, or earthly honors, can 
never be fully satisfied. We find this fact clearly 
proven by facts in real life around us. Take a 
homely illustration. That young man full of energy 
and ambition starts out in life as a farmer. He 
is a poor young man, but he is industrious and 
economical. He buys a forty-acre tract of land on 
credit for a home. He imagines that when he has 
made enough money to pay for that land and has 
well improved it, he will be happy and contented. 
He will have a small farm, it is true, but it will be 
his own property. He works hard, he economizes 
closely, and by and by pays the purchase price. It 
is now his land and not encumbered with debt. He 
has a clear title to the forty acres and points with 
pride to the comfortable improvements he has put 
upon it and the good harvests its fields produce. I 
go to him and ask him, "Are you happy now, are 
you fully satisfied ? You have been successful in ac- 
complishing your plans, you have a nice little home 
of your own, are you fully satisfied ?" He very can- 
didly answers : "Well, I have accomplished the work 
I set out to do. I own a very nice farm, but it is 
not large enough. I need more land. Right by 
the side of my farm lies a hundred-and-twenty- 
acre tract of land. I think I will buy that also. It 
will give me a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
and I think I will then be satisfied. ,, He buys the 
land on credit; he works a little harder; he econo- 



The Liee of Faith. 19 

mizes more closely ; and after awhile he is able to 
pay for it. I go to him and ask : "Are you now satis- 
fied ? You have as large a farm as one man can well 
cultivate. It brings you in bountiful harvests. Cer- 
tainly you are now happy and fully satisfied." With 
a smile upon his countenance and a shake of the 
head, he replies : "No, not quite. I thought I would 
not want any more land, but just adjoining my farm 
is another hundred-and-sixty-acre tract of very rich 
land ; it must be sold by its owner and can be bought 
at a bargain. I would like to have it." He makes 
the purchase. He works still harder, economizes 
more closely, becomes more penurious; he goes on 
adding farm to farm until he becomes a large land- 
owner. His broad acres spread out over the hills 
and valleys around him, and his barns are filled with 
the bountiful harvests gathered from his well-cul- 
tivated fields. The world counts him rich, and his 
neighbors imagine that he must be contented and 
very happy. I go to him when his hair is getting 
gray, when his cheeks are deeply furrowed by time 
and care, when his limbs are beginning to tremble 
with age and hard toil, and say to him: "My dear 
friend, are you not satisfied yet? Is not your cup 
of happiness full? You own all the land around 
you ; your fields bring forth bountifully ; your barns 
are well filled; are you not fully satisfied?" His 
lips quiver, a tear starts from his eye, and he sadly 
answers : "No, I am not satisfied yet. Just beyond 
the last farm I bought is a deep dark valley. 
Through it flows the cold stream of death. I must 



20 The Life of Faith. 

soon cross that stream, and I am not prepared." All 
of his earthly gains have failed to meet his spiritual 
wants or satisfy the longings of his immortal soul. 
Nor can they make him happy. Not until he 
climbs the hill of Calvary, not until he humbly bows 
at the foot of the cross, not until he feels the blood 
of cleansing applied to his heart, will his spiritual 
wants be met. When the burden of guilt is lifted 
from his heart, when he is made conscious of the 
pardon of sin and adoption into the family of God ; 
when new life is imparted to his soul, then only will 
he be satisfied; then, living by faith in the Son of 
God, he will be able joyfully to sing, 

" Now rest, my long divided heart, 
Fixed on this blissful center rest, 
Nor ever from thy Lord depart, 
With Him of every good possessed." 

5. The life of faith is comforting. The religion 
of the Lord Jesus Christ is a solace in days of sor- 
row, an inspiration of joy when all else fails. There 
are times when we grow weary of worldly pleasures, 
when abundance of wealth becomes a burden, when 
earthly honors prove a vexation and the heart longs 
for something better than the world can afford. 
When health begins to fail, when clouds of adver- 
sity arise, when the ties that bind loved ones to- 
gether are broken, when the shadow of death falls 
across the threshold, then the fountain of earthly joy 
dries up, then the heart rent with grief is ready to 
sink in despair. It is then that they who live this 
life of faith are enabled to walk in the light and in- 



The Life of Faith. 21 

dulge in the spirit of rejoicing. The promises of 
the Gospel afford comfort here, and the life of faith 
spans with a rainbow of hope the darkest of earth's 
storm clouds. A striking proof of this is given in 
the case of one of God's faithful children. A pious 
woman, a member of the Church, was stricken with 
an affliction for which no remedy could be found. 
Her physician and friends gave up all hope of her 
restoration to health. For months she had been 
growing weaker and weaker, and she awaited pa- 
tiently the coming of the final summons. When vis- 
iting her in her affliction I was deeply im- 
pressed with the sad surroundings. What words of 
comfort could be found to dispel the gloom or re- 
lieve the sadness of the scene? There were no 
grounds on which to build a hope of recovery. I 
could only repeat the promise of freedom from pain 
and suffering, and of happiness in the life to come. 
The remainder of this life gave assurance only of 
blighted hopes, of racking pains, and of approach- 
ing death. While trying to direct her thoughts to 
the home above as the only solace that could be 
given, she drew from under her pillow her well- 
worn Bible and triumphantly replied: "O, this 
blessed Book is full of precious promises, promises 
of the life that now is as well as of that which is 
to come; and these promises are all mine. Jesus 
here speaks to me words of comfort for every day 
of suffering, for every hour of trouble, and He not 
only gives me these promises in the Bible, but He 
sends the Holy Comforter even into my room, 



22 The Life of Faith. 

and whenever the Comforter comes He brings 
heaven with Him." Then with her feeble voice she 
sweetly sang: 

" I am happy here, and I hope to be there ; 
I 'm happy on my journey home." 

The shadow of death on a dark stormy night 
fell across the threshold of my own humble home. 
The companion of my youth and of my mature man- 
hood was suddenly taken away. My bosom was 
rent with grief, and it was very hard to say, "Thy 
will be done." With bowed head and tearful eyes 
I followed her cold remains to the grave. The 
coffin was lowered into the vault and every clod of 
earth that was cast upon its lid seemed to fall upon 
my aching heart. But while standing by that new- 
made grave I heard by faith a voice tenderly say- 
ing, "I am the resurrection and the life;" "Because 
I live ye shall live also." Turning from that scene 
of death, lifting my tearful eyes to heaven, hope re- 
vived and I was enabled gladly to say: "The life 
which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the 
Son of God. I shall see my loved ones again in 
that better land where there is no death." 

6. Finally, the life of faith is eternal. It ends 
not with the day dreams and night visions of this 
world. The life of the flesh will fail before long. 
The brightest eye will grow dim, the rosiest cheek 
will fade, the most active limbs will be palsied. This 
life which we so fondly cherish will soon close. All 
the fondest ties here will soon be broken. All the 
pleasures of time will soon cease. But the life of 



The Life of Faith. 2% 

faith will still endure. In youth it inspires hope; 
in mature life it affords real happiness ; in old age 
it imparts new strength and new joys. It sheds 
light about the chamber of sickness, it gives com- 
fort to aching hearts; it crowns the dying pilgrim 
with complete triumph. It never ends. It is said 
that the great statesman of Massachusetts, at the 
close of life, in the delirium of his last moments, to 
those who stood around his couch and wiped the 
death-sweat from his brow, slowly but distinctly ut- 
tered the words, "I — still — live." The Christian 
pilgrim in his last conflict, not in the delirium of 
death's struggle, but in his right mind, and in the 
flush of complete victory, to all who weep at his 
bedside, will be able to say, "I still live." As he 
goes down into the valley and crosses the cold 
stream he can shout back, "I still live." As he 
places his feet upon the evergreen shore and shakes 
from his skirts the dewdrops of death, he can re- 
peat, "I still live." And as he walks the golden 
streets of the New Jerusalem, as he surveys the 
bright fields of Paradise, as he greets again the 
loved ones gone on before, and joins the ranks of 
the blood-washed throng, he can triumphantly shout, 
"I still live." Throughout the endless ages the 
chorus of his eternal song will be, "I still live." The 
life of faith begun here amid sorrows and joys, amid 
temptations and triumphs, will continue forever. 
Like a bending rainbow of light it will gild every 
earthly cloud, afford comfort in every hour of sor- 
row, and give an abundant entrance into the king- 
dom of God. 



II. 

ALL THINGS ARE YOURS. 

"All things are yours." — i Cor. hi, 21. 

The: Bible is full of promises to the children of 
God. These promises have reference both to the 
life which now is and to that which is to come. 
They are abundant, rich, and full. So abundant are 
they that they can not be numbered; so rich are 
they that they excite our wonder; so full are they 
that they stagger our belief in their fulfillment. 
Take, for instance, the promise in regard to the 
things of this life: "All things work together for 
good to them that love and serve God." Though 
this is the language of an inspired apostle, how often 
do we doubt the correctness of his word! As we 
look back over the past, we imagine that we can 
enumerate many things that were not for our good. 
When we survey our present surroundings how 
many "things'' there are that seem to us possible to 
be changed for our good ! We often entertain the 
thought that had we the creation of our own en- 
vironments, had we the control of the events of our 
lives, we could make many of them much more con- 
ducive to our own good, much more efficient in pro- 
moting our own happiness. Then, take that other 

24 



Au, Things Are Yours. 25 

promise: "Our light affliction, which is but for a 
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and 
eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the 
things which are seen, but at the things which are 
not seen ; for the things which are seen are tem- 
poral, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 
How ready is unbelief to ask, "How can afflictions 
in time be for our good in eternity? How can the 
pains of the body here increase the joys of the soul 
there? How can the sufferings, the disappoint- 
ments, and the separations of this life enhance the 
glory of the life to come?" And, instead of meet- 
ings life's battles bravely and enduring its burdens 
and sorrows joyfully, we often murmur and com- 
plain of the lot that is ours. Take, again, the rich 
promise implied in the text, "All things are yours !" 
all things are helpful in the Divine life. "How can 
this be?" the doubting heart replies; and at once 
it is ready to reject the blessed assurance given. 
Indeed, the more abundant the promises, the richer 
and fuller that they may be, the more ready is the 
human heart to shrink back into the fog of unbe- 
lief, and willingly entertain doubts of their fulfill- 
ment. It is far better and more reasonable for us 
with faith to accept them in all their richness, and 
zealously perform all the conditions of their fulfill- 
ment; far better is it, without doubting, to receive 
them as Divine truth, as the legacy left us by the 
Spirit of God Himself. 

Paul does not claim for God's children, in the 
words of the text, the right of possession of all prop- 



26 The Life of Faith. 

erty. He does not set up a title-deed to all the broad 
acres of earth, or refer to the supreme control of 
its gold and silver, or its flocks and herds. He is 
speaking of that which is of more importance to the 
Christian than ownership of lands or mines of pre- 
cious metals, or positions of earthly honor. And 
yet, if permitted to turn aside for a moment from 
the important theme upon which he dwells, it would 
be safe to predict the coming of the time when even 
the material things of this world will belong to the 
children of God. The inspired prophet distinctly 
declares, "The saints shall inherit the earth." The 
good time is coming when the fertile fields of earth, 
the productive mines of gold and silver, the high 
offices of honor and trust, and "the cattle upon a 
thousand hills" shall belong to the saints of God; 
when this earth shall be under their sway, and "all 
things" shall be theirs. But the apostle is here pre- 
senting a richer thought. He is teaching a more im- 
portant lesson. "All things are yours," he asserts 
in reference to helps in the Divine life. All things 
are yours as means of grace to assist in serving God ; 
all things are yours to enable you to overcome the 
world and to make heaven your eternal home. 

He reproves the partisan spirit which was man- 
ifested in the Church at Corinth. Divisions and dis- 
sensions were springing up there that threatened 
great harm to the cause of Christ in that city. Dis- 
cussions as to the personal superiority of the dif- 
ferent apostles had become prevalent. Diverse 
opinions were held as to who should be chosen to 



All Things Ari; Yours. 27 

administer there the truths of the Gospel. They 
were divided as to who should be their teacher in 
holy things, as to who should be the chief apostle 
of their Church. There was one party for Paul, 
another for Peter, and still another for Apollos. 
One party insisted that Paul, the great apostle to 
the Gentiles, who planted the Church at Corinth and 
had been instrumental in the conversion of its mem- 
bers, should be chosen ; and none put Paul would do. 
Another party had objections to Paul. He was too 
logical, they said, in his sermons, too doctrinal in 
his teaching, and they contended that they must 
have the bold, the earnest, the enthusiastic Peter; 
and none but Peter would do. Others discarded 
both Paul and Peter, and demanded the selection 
of the fervent, the eloquent Apollos as their 
preacher; and none but Apollos would do. The 
contention grew warm, angry passions were engen- 
dered, and the peace of the Church was greatly dis- 
turbed. Other Churches, since the days of the apos- 
tles, have suffered from a like cause. But Paul 
writes to the Corinthians reproving this spirit of 
partisanship. He tells them that there is no occa- 
sion for such contention. For says he, "All things 
are yours." Paul is yours, and Cephas is yours, 
and Apollos is yours; all of the apostles are yours, 
to teach you the way of life and to help you on to 
God. Every preacher of the Gospel, every ordi- 
nance of the Church, every means of grace, is yours 
to advance you in the Divine life. And then, going 
still farther, he tells them that not only all the 



28 The Life of Faith. 

agencies in the Church are theirs as helps, but all 
things outside as well, — things present and things 
to come, life and death ; all are theirs, to help them 
to love and serve God, to enable them to make their 
calling and election sure. 

I. The: Apostle in Teaching This Lesson lays 
down impliedly the foundation principle — that 
growth or increase is the law of spiritual life. 
"All things are yours" to help you grow spirit- 
ually. Continual advancement in the Divine life is 
necessary to the full development of Christian char- 
acter. Some look upon the hour of conversion as 
the happiest of all hours in their religious expe- 
rience; that then the light shone brightest; that 
then they attained to the acme of their salvation. 
Others depend for spiritual safety upon the re- 
membrance of past blessings, and argue their as- 
surance of a home in heaven from the fact of a clear 
and joyful experience in former days. Still others 
imagine that the high attainments that they have 
already made are all that are possible for them; 
that there is no more land for them to possess. But 
while the fact of conversion should be the cause of 
continual gratitude, and its joys be treasured up in 
most delightful memories ; while the experience of 
Pentecostal seasons may have been rich and glorious, 
and the eye of faith has been enabled to survey from 
Pisgah's heights the whole of the Promised Land, 
yet this is not enough. The safety of the Christian 
requires that his spiritual growth be constant. His 



Ail Things Are Yours. 29 

experience is to be ever deeper and richer. His 
advancement in the Divine life is to be a daily at- 
tainment. It is his duty to go forward, to grow 
stronger and stronger. If there is not continual 
progress in the spiritual life, sin lieth at the door. 

That growth is the law of spiritual life we may 
infer from analogy. The fact is clearly indicated 
in the works of nature. On all the vegetable world 
the law of growth or increase is found operating. 
When the vegetable, the vine, or the tree ceases to 
grow, it begins to die. Continued growth there is 
the attribute of continued life. Where the fact of 
growth is wanting the seeds of death may be found. 
This, also, is the law of man's physical nature. The 
child does not remain a child in stature. The body 
is expected to increase in size and strength daily. A 
little boy when asked the question, "Are you a 
man?" answered very promptly, "No, sir; but I 
expect to grow to be a man." He simply recog- 
nized the law of growth that belonged to his phys- 
ical powers. The same law is stamped upon man's 
mental being. The intellectual faculties naturally 
increase in strength. The mind is capable of con- 
tinually acquiring knowledge. Its natural bent is 
to know more and more. The old proverb may be 
here quoted as teaching differently that "man is 
twice a child ; first, when he is a babe in his mother's 
arms ; again, when old age comes upon him, he be- 
comes a child again." It is true there may be some 
who verify this proverb, and are children when 
young and children when old. Indeed, some people 



30 The: Life otf Faith. 

may never be anything else but children. But this 
is not the law of man's being. He was evidently 
made to grow, to increase in knowledge, to gain in 
intellectual power, to be a learner of truth as long 
as this life lasts. And if permitted to theorize here, 
I would say it is my belief that increase of knowl- 
edge is not only the law of this life but also of the 
life to come. If we are so happy as to be admitted 
to the bliss of heaven, I believe we shall always be 
learning more, ever be increasing in knowledge. 
As we walk among the bowers of Eden and bask in 
the sunlight of that eternal world, we shall know 
more of God, more of His blessed Son, more of im- 
mortality, and more of this wonderful universe 
which God's hand has formed. May we not infer, 
then, if it is the law of the vegetable that it must 
grow or else die; if to the human body must daily 
be added strength ; if the mind should ever increase 
its stock of knowledge, that growth or increase is 
also the law of man's moral being; that his faith 
and his affections, that his hopes and his joys, that 
all that pertains to the Divine life in the soul should 
constantly grow stronger? 

This law is clearly set forth in the Word of 
God. One apostle says, "Leaving the principles of 
the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection." 
It is not designed that we should be satisfied with 
only an entrance upon the Christian pathway, be it 
ever so joyful. Though the morning light may be 
brilliant, we are still to look for the exceeding 
brightness of the midday sun. It is our privilege 



All, Things Are; Yours. 31 

and our duty to explore wider fields of religious 
knowledge, and have a deeper and richer experience 
of Divine things. Another apostle says, "Add to 
your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowl- 
edge temperance, to temperance patience, to pa- 
tience experience, to experience godliness, to godli- 
ness charity, to charity brotherly kindness ; give 
diligence to make your calling and election sure." 
The law of the Divine life is one of addition. We 
are to add grace to grace, and virtue to virtue, as 
long as life lasts. Then there comes, in no uncer- 
tain sound, from the throne of God itself, to every 
child of God, the supreme command, "Grow in 
grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior 
Jesus Christ." 

But to this law of growth so clearly laid down, 
objections may arise. You may be ready to say, "I 
do not understand this. I can not reconcile the idea 
of continual increase with the duty of attaining unto 
Christian perfection. How can that which is per- 
fect still grow? How can that which is still grow- 
ing be perfect? "These duties," you may say, "are 
inconsistent the one with the other." In answering 
this objection, much depends upon the interpretation 
given of the term Christian perfection. Whatever 
others may suppose this to be, the Scriptures evi- 
dently teach that it is to love God with the whole 
heart, soul, mind, and strength. When one has 
come in his religious life to love God with his whole 
heart, he is a perfect Christian. But you ask, "How 
can one who loves God perfectly, with his whole 



32 The Life oe Faith. 

heart, grow spiritually or love Him any more ?" In 
answer take a simple illustration. Twenty years 
ago you may have passed a certain spot on the way- 
side. On that spot grew a young and vigorous tree. 
Stopping then you examined that tree, noting care- 
fully its body, its leaves, and its fruit. After a close 
examination, you may truly have said, this is a per- 
fect tree. It is young, but it is perfect. Its body, 
its branches, its leaves, its fruit, are all perfect. To- 
day you pass by that same spot and look upon that 
same tree. You find, by examination, that its body, 
its branches, its leaf, and its fruit are still perfect. 
All through those twenty years it has been growing, 
but all the while it has remained a perfect tree. The 
only difference now, as to what it was then, is that 
it is larger, and now bears a much more abundant 
harvest of leaf and flower and fruit. So should it 
be with the Christian, — perfect yesterday, and per- 
fect to-day, but always growing, and every day 
bearing a larger harvest of good works to the glory 
of God. 

Still farther urging your objection, you may 
take a glass and pour water into it until it is full, 
and then say you can not pour in any more water. 
Now, you ask, if you love God with your whole 
heart how can you increase in that love? It is true 
that when you have filled the glass with water you 
can not pour in any more. If you tried to do so the 
water would run out over the brim. But I will tell 
you what you can do : you can take that goblet to the 
glass-blower, let him place it for awhile in the well- 



All Things Are Yours. 33 

heated furnace, then, when the glass is softened by 
the heat, he can, with one puff of his breath, enlarge 
the dimensions of the vessel so that it will hold 
much more than it did before. So may we do in 
the Divine life. Though we love God with the 
whole heart now, we may bring our hearts to the 
furnace of Divine love and let the Holy Spirit blow 
upon them and enlarge them. Then we can love 
God more and serve Him better. Every day the 
heart should experience this warming influence and 
realize this expanding power of the Spirit of God. 

II. All Things are: Yours as Helps to Spiritual 
Growth. 

The apostle, having laid down the foundation 
principle, now presents the precious assurance that 
all things may be a means of growth or increase in 
the spiritual life. 

We are apt to take a different view of our sur- 
roundings. We often complain of things we meet 
with as hindrances to a life of devotion. We excuse 
a want of spiritual growth in ourselves and in others 
because of these hindrances. We charge the lack of 
religious advancement to human frailty, to the wick- 
edness of the world, to physical suffering, or to men- 
tal trouble. We persuade ourselves to believe that 
we can not live a life wholly blameless, that we must 
wait till free from the body and the events of time 
before we can be ever growing and always sinless. 
But Paul, with just such human nature as we have, 
surrounded by the same world, contending with the 
3 



34 The Liee oe Faith. 

same enemies, from experience and from inspira- 
tion, utters the grand promise of the text, "All 
things are yours." He assures us that all things may 
be made a means of grace; all things can become 
helps to us in serving God. 

A consideration of a few of these will make evi- 
dent the aid they may afford us in a religious life. 

The frailties of human nature may be helpful. 
The consciousness of personal weaknesses should in- 
crease our spiritual strength. The man who, after 
deep penitence, has experienced pardon for sin, who 
has obtained full evidence of acceptance with God, 
and who, because of the clearness and power of his 
conversion, rises up in the glow of his first joy and 
declares that he is now firmly established, that he 
has no fear of falling, that he can now overcome 
all enemies by his own power, — that man. will in a 
short time be likely to utterly fail. He trusts alone 
in his own strength. But he who, after an equally 
clear and blessed assurance of his acceptance, still 
realizes his own weaknesses, and tries to walk, not 
in his own strength, but in the strength which grace 
supplies, who is ever "looking unto Jesus" and ever 
leaning upon His strong arm, — he will most surely 
stand. A consciousness of his own weakness and 
of his own ignorance will lead him to trust to the 
Strong for strength, and to look to the All-wise for 
wisdom. No man ever falls whose abiding trust is 
in Christ. 

The wickedness of the world may D*e made a 
means of help spiritually by contrast. The acts of 



All Things Are: Yours. 35 

evil-doers may have a tendency to chill the ardor of 
our devotion. The influence of the unrighteous 
may ofttimes lead hearts astray from Christ. This 
should not be so. Rather these thing's should make 
the Christian more faithful. I do not mean to say 
that I believe evil is necessary for the good of man 
or the glory of God, or to teach that sin is a bless- 
ing; but by contrasting sin with righteousness, the 
life of the wicked with the life of the good, the 
death of the ungodly with the death of the upright, 
we can find the strongest incentives to walk in the 
way of the righteous, to live the life of the godly. 
Sin is always ugly. There is nothing noble or beau- 
tiful in deeds of wickedness. Profanity, anger, 
licentiousness, as well as drunkenness and theft and 
murder, are degrading. But the works of the right- 
eous and the acts of the good are always elevating. 
They recommend themselves to the approving con- 
sciences of all men. There is a beauty about them 
that charms the hearts and minds of those who wit- 
ness them. They strongly speak against that which 
is wrong and in favor of that which is right. This 
fact is often shown in real life. Take one instance. 
In a certain neighborhood lived a family — a father, 
mother, and several sons. The father, when sober, 
was kind, industrious, and loving. But unfortu- 
nately he was addicted to strong drink. He never 
went to an election, to the post-office, or other pub- 
lic places, without becoming intoxicated, and when 
he returned home he brought trouble and sorrow 
to all his household. What was remarkable about 



36 The Life of Faith. 

this family was, that not one of his sons would touch 
the accursed thing. Here was the influence of the 
father in favor of drunkenness, but his sons stead- 
ily avoided the intoxicating bowl. Why was this? 
The boys could give the answer. "We have a 
father," said they, "who is a good man and loving 
father when sober, but when under the influence of 
drink he is cruel and brutal. By his intemperate 
habits he is wasting his property, he is causing his 
children to go in rags, and is breaking our mother's 
heart. We have seen the evil of intoxication, we 
have felt the many sharp pangs that our father's 
drunkenness has produced, and have, therefore, set 
our faces firmly against the evil, and sworn in our 
hearts to lead lives of sobriety." By contrasting a 
life of sobriety with a life of drunkenness they were 
saved from the ruinous influence of their father's 
example. 

Then, how striking the contrast between the 
closing scenes in the life of the good and the evil! 
How impressive the lesson then imparted! I once 
stood by the couch of a dying Atheist. He had dis- 
carded the Bible, rejected Christ as a Savior, and 
denied God. In his social relations he was kind and 
obliging, but inveterate in his hatred of Christianity. 
His death scene was without a ray of hope. In his 
last hour he spurned from his presence all mention 
of a loving Savior. With groans that were heart- 
rending, with billows of agony rolling over his soul 
that were terrible, with fearful struggles of mind 
and body in the last conflict, he passed away. O, 



All Things Are Yours. 37 

how sad, how rayless that scene! An immortal 
soul going into outer darkness! But from that 
death-bed, over which fell such a dark cloud, turn 
to the couch where the Christian pilgrim breathes 
his last: 

" The chamber where the good man meets his fate, 
Is privileged beyond the common walks of men, — 
Quite on the verge of heaven." 

There may be weeping there ; burning tears may 
be falling from the eyes of loved ones as they wipe 
the death-sweat from his brow; they may be over- 
whelmed with grief, but a smile lights up his face, 
his triumph is complete. His hands and his feet 
may be cold; the sight of his eye may be growing 
dim, the beatings of his pulse more feeble ; but his 
last words, though in a whisper, tell of a glorious 
victory : 

" If this be death, I soon shall be 
From every pain and sorrow free ; 
I shall the King of glory see, — 
All is well, all is well." 

And whose heart would not gladly say, while 
contrasting two such death scenes, "Let me die the 
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like 
his?" 

Even the temptations and trials encountered on 
life's pathway are yours to help in gaining spiritual 
strength. God does not tempt any of His children 
to commit sin. He only permits temptation to come, 
that, by resisting it, they may gain greater strength 



38 The Life of Faith. 

for His service. The large oak that grows upon 
yonder hill is stronger in all its parts to-day be- 
cause of the storms of a hundred winters that have 
beat upon it, than it would have been had it grown 
where no storms blow. The blasts of the passing 
wind have made its roots take deeper and firmer 
hold upon the earth, and added vigor and strength 
to its body and branches. See that mother who 
bears in her arms her babe along the street. The 
colder the winds and the fiercer the blast, the more 
closely does the child nestle to her bosom. So with 
the Christian, — the gusts of temptation and the sea- 
sons of trial cause him to grasp more firmly the sup- 
plies of Divine grace; the more severe his conflicts 
may be, the more closely does he lean upon Christ, 
the more securely does he hide in the pierced side of 
his Redeemer. 

Even the separations in life are for our good. 
Others may teach differently; others may find in 
these sorrows no cause for increase of Christian 
confidence and Christian hope ; but God's Word and 
the heart's experience attest the fact. Many years 
ago, while young in my religious life, I thought 
much of heaven. It then appeared to me as a land 
of light and joy, a place free from sorrow and full 
of bliss; and I said in my heart, that happy land 
shall be my eternal home. But heaven then seemed 
far away ; beyond this life, beyond the clouds, be- 
yond the stars; and I could only see it in the dim 
distance with the eye of faith. To-day heaven does 
not seem so far away. Every day it has been com- 



All Things Are Yours. 39 

ing nearer. Friends on the right hand and on the 
left have departed for that goodly place. Class- 
mates, one after another, have entered there. Loved 
ones have tenderly bade me good-bye, and gone on 
before; and every one that has gone has brought 
heaven nearer to me. To-day heaven does not seem 
very far away. Only a thin veil hides its glories 
from my view. Erelong that veil will be rent, and 
I shall see the blessed ones face to face, and I shall 
know as I am known. Earthly separations are only 
weaning us from the transitory things of time, and 
binding us more closely to our home in heaven. 

Finally, death is yours. It will be a release from 
all the cares and anxieties of life, from all its toil 
and' pain. It will put an end to sighing, grief, and 
flowing tears. It will be the breaking of the shell 
in which the redeemed soul is held here, and the 
opening to its enraptured vision of the unspeakable 
glories of immortality and eternal life. 

Then, Christian pilgrim, why falter and com- 
plain? All things are yours, — things present and 
things to come, life and death, — all are yours, to 
help you on to God. Every tear as well as every 
smile, every shadow as well as every sunbeam, every 
trial as well as every joy, — all are yours. Cast away 
all fear, brush off every tear, hush every murmur- 
ing sigh, spread thy banner to the heavenly breeze ! 
"All things are yours, and ye are Christ's, and 
Christ is God's. 



III. 

A MIND TO WORK. 

"So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined 
together unto the half thereof; for the people 
had a mind to work." — Neh. iv, 6. 

Two thousand years ago and more a company 
of Jews, under the leadership of Nehemiah, returned 
from captivity in Babylon to the land of their 
fathers. Nehemiah had received authority from 
the king of Persia to go to the land of Judea to build 
up the waste places and to restore order and beauty 
to its cities and villages. The remnant of the people 
who had been left in the land were in "great afflic- 
tion and reproach;" the walls of Jerusalem were 
broken down, and its gates had been consumed by 
fire. When Nehemiah came near to its site he looked 
upon the ruins on every hand and was deeply 
grieved at the great desolation. He made a careful 
survey of the surroundings, and, notwithstand- 
ing the fearful obstacles before him, he returned to 
the band of Jews who had come with him and cour- 
ageously addressed them : "Ye see the distress that 
we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste and the gates 
thereof are burned with fire ; come and let us build 

40 



A Mind to Work. 41 

up the wall of Jerusalem that we be no more a re- 
proach." 

The people were divided into various companies. 
Each band was appointed to its place about the wall 
for work. One band was selected to rebuild the 
Sheep Gate, another to rebuild the Fish Gate. One 
company was assigned to work at the Old Gate, and 
another at the Valley Gate. One band was to re- 
build the Gate of the Fountain, another the Water 
Gate, and still another the Horse Gate. Thus the 
whole city was encircled with bands of workmen, 
earnestly and systematically engaged in removing 
the rubbish, in gathering the stones from the ruins 
and in restoring them to their places in the walls. 
The work was tedious, and the burdens were heavy. 
Besides the difficulties which they encountered be- 
cause of the great desolation, they had to endure 
the active opposition of wily enemies that were 
about them. Sanballat, the Horonite; Tobiah, the 
Ammonite ; and Geshem, the Arabian, threw all ob- 
stacles possible in their way, and scornfully derided 
them as they performed their work. "What is this 
thing that ye do ?" they said. "Will ye rebel against 
the king?" And joining with treacherous brethren 
of the land, exclaimed: "What do these feeble 
Jews? Will they fortify themselves? Will they 
revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish which 
are burned? Even that which they build, if a fox 
go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." 
They conspired together to come and fight against 
the bands of workmen and hinder the accomplish- 



42 The Life oe Faith. 

ment of the work. Undaunted, the faithful Nehe- 
miah made prayer to God for help. He appointed 
watchmen to guard the workmen day and night. 
Half of the men wrought at the work, and the other 
half stood ready armed to defend against the ap- 
proach of the enemy. The rubbish, though there 
was much of it, was removed, the walls gradually 
grew higher, the gates arose in beauty to their 
places, through the zeal and the untiring energy of 
the workmen, and the historian sums up the manner 
of work and their complete success in the words 
of the text : "So built we the wall ; and all the wall 
was joined together unto the half thereof; for the 
people had a mind to work." 

This interesting incident in the history of the 
Jews may well be used as a prophecy of things spir- 
itual and things to come. Jerusalem in its desolate 
condition, strikingly typifies the world as ruined 
by sin; the Divine provisions for its rebuilding and 
restoration to beauty are typical of God's design 
and good pleasure to lift up the world to truth and 
righteousness. The agencies employed and the 
spirit of the workmen by which success was ob- 
tained prefigure the instrumentalities and controll- 
ing principle required for the conversion of men, 
the building up of the Church, and the fulfillment 
of the promise to give to the Son the "heathen for 
an inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth 
for a possession." 

Using the text as a type of things spiritual we 
learn that 



A Mind to Work. 43 

I. The: Mission of the Church is to Bring the 

Whole World Under the Saving Power oe 

the Gospel. 

The idea of completeness is clearly suggested: 
"The whole wall was joined together unto the half 
thereof." The mission of the Church is to labor for 
the salvation of not only a few here and there, but 
of all. The Church is appointed as the instrument 
of ushering in the good time when every nation, 
people, and tongue shall willingly bow to the scepter 
of our Immanuel, when every heart shall have ex- 
perienced the saving power of the Gospel of Christ, 
and every tongue shall be attuned to the praise of a 
Triune God. This should form the grand object 
for which the Church should put forth every effort ; 
nothing less than the bringing in of that good time 
when righteousness shall cover the earth should 
be deemed the scope and end of her great mission. 

That such a day may dawn upon the world has 
been the inspiring hope of Christians of all ages. 
The same hope awakens fond anticipations in the 
heart of the Christian world to-day. Yet it must be 
admitted that doubts often arise as to the advent of 
such a good time. Many in their prophecies of the 
future declare that, as in the past so in all time to 
come, this world will be the arena of both sin and 
righteousness, that the inhabitants of the earth will 
never all be Christians in deed and in truth. That 
the present mixed state of things in the moral world 
will ever continue is argued from the comparatively 
little success achieved by Christianity since its 



44 The Life of Faith. 

propagation among men. After the Gospel has 
been preached for nearly two thousand years, after 
the efforts of the Church have been put forth for 
the conversion of the world for so many centuries, 
how much of it still remains a spiritual waste ; how 
little of the rubbish of sin has been removed; how 
few of the gates of the city have been set up ! Again, 
a failure of complete success is argued from the ap- 
parent increase of wickedness in the world. Hearts 
of true Christians are shocked at the enormity of 
crimes committed, at the manifestation of debauch- 
ery on every hand. Evil doing holds high carnival 
in various parts of the world. Young men and 
maidens are enticed from the paths of uprightness 
by the siren voice of sin, and the silver locks of age 
do not always indicate purity of mind and holiness 
of life. Ofttimes even the godly are ready to ex- 
claim, "O, the wickedness of the times ! O, the de- 
generacy of the age !" And they are almost forced 
to conclude that the world is growing worse instead 
of better, and that the forces of evil are becoming 
more active and powerful. Again, doubts of suc- 
cess in the conversion of the whole world to the re- 
ligion of the Gospel are created by the interpreta- 
tion given by some to certain Scriptures. It is said 
our Savior Himself indicates that this mixed state 
of truth and error, of righteousness and sin, will con- 
tinue in all the days to come. It is asked, Has Jesus 
not said, "As the days of Noah were, so shall also 
the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the 
days that were before the flood they were eating and 



A Mind to Work. 45 

drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and 
knew not till the flood came and took them all away ; 
so also shall the coming of the Son of man be!" 
It is claimed by some that here we have a prophecy 
of the real condition of things at the coming of 
Christ at the last day; that then good and evil will 
exist together as they do to-day. 

These doubts, however, are not well founded. 
These arguments against that good time coming 
may be conclusively answered. It may be truly af- 
firmed that if Jesus in these words referred to the 
end of time and the day of His coming to judgment, 
He does not necessarily imply the existence of sin 
and evil doing. Eating and drinking are not al- 
ways sinful ; marrying and giving in marriage may 
take place without wrong doing. But Jesus is evi- 
dently speaking of another time than the end of 
the world. In close connection with this prophecy 
He says: "There shall be two in the field, the one 
shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall 
be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken and 
the other left." But when Christ shall come the 
second time, to judge the world; when the angel 
shall declare that time shall be no longer, one will 
not be taken and the other left, but all shall be taken 
and none left. The words of Jesus are doubtless a 
prophecy of the day when God's judgments should 
fall upon Jerusalem and the Jewish nation for their 
gross wickedness. They can not be interpreted as a 
description of the moral condition of the world in 



46 The L,i#e of Faith. 

the last days. Again, the increase of wickedness 
among men may only be apparent. There may be 
more of it in some localities than formerly, while in 
general there will be found a healthy and glorious 
advance in morals and religion. Again, while in 
nearly two thousand years Christianity has not 
gained sway over all men, who will say that its cords 
have not been lengthening and its stakes growing 
stronger all along these centuries ? All of these ob- 
jections fail to furnish evidence of the impossibility 
or improbability of the complete conversion of the 
world to the Christian religion. There are good and 
substantial grounds on which to build our faith in 
the coming of this good time. 

I. It is a prominent subject of prophecy. The 
prophets of Israel in no uncertain words predict the 
complete triumph of the cause of righteousness and 
truth. Go and hearken to the voice of Isaiah, that 
prince of Hebrew seers, and hear his exultant words 
as he forecasts the future. "And it shall come to 
pass in the last days," he says, "that the mountain 
of the Lord's house shall be established in the top 
of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the 
hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And he 
shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke 
many people; and they shall beat their swords into 
plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; 
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither 
shall they learn war any more." "In the last days" 
has no doubt reference to the days of the Gospel 
dispensation. When this grand prophecy is ful- 



A Mind to Work. 47 

filled, universal love and purity, the requisite of uni- 
versal peace, will prevail among mankind. 

Go and sit down with Jeremiah, the weeping 
prophet, and as he looks away from the gross wick- 
edness of his people, the cause of all his tears, mark 
how glorious the future appears to his inspired 
vision : "After these days I will put my law in their 
inward parts, and write it in their hearts ; and will 
be their God, and they shall be my people. And 
they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and 
his brother, saying, Know ye the Lord; for they 
shall all know Me from the least of them unto the 
greatest of them, saith the Lord." When this uni- 
versal knowledge of the Lord prevails there will 
be universal light and peace and joy among man- 
kind. 

Again, we have the sure words of prophecy tell- 
ing of this good time coming : "They shall not hurt 
nor destroy in all My holy mountain ; for the earth 
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the 
waters cover the sea." 

These prophecies have not yet been fulfilled. 
They still point to the future. They are promises of 
a day without clouds, of a time without evil, of a 
world without sin. They tell of that good time 
coming when peace shall prevail among nations and 
the love of God shall fill the hearts of men. These 
prophecies must be fulfilled, for they are God's 
words; and when they are fulfilled, then shall the 
"wall be joined together unto the half thereof;" 
then shall the Gospel light encircle the earth and 



48 The Life of Faith. 

mankind rejoice in "the sunshine of the world's new 
spring." 

2. It is a proper subject of prayer. Not every 
prayer that even Christians offer may be answered. 
Our petitions at a Throne of Grace, that they may 
be heard and answered, must be in accordance with 
the will of God. He, in His wisdom, will only grant 
to us that which He sees is best for us to have. The 
burden of the prayers of Christians in all ages of 
the world has been the salvation of mankind, the 
dawn of the day when God's love should fill every 
heart. Is such a prayer in accord with the will of 
our Heavenly Father ? Let the great Teacher Him- 
self give the answer. When Jesus taught His dis- 
ciples how to pray, He presented this as one of the 
petitions they should offer: "Thy kingdom come; 
Thy will be done, as in heaven so in earth." If they 
were commanded by Him to offer this prayer, they 
certainly had reason to believe that the prayer 
would be answered. They were to pray for the com- 
ing of the time when the Father's will would be 
done in earth as it is done in heaven. His will is 
fully obeyed in heaven. When His will is done in 
earth as it is in heaven, every heart will be charac- 
terized by purity and love, every lip will be attuned 
to His praise. This has been the earnest prayer of 
God's people in all the centuries. It was fervently 
offered by the persecuted disciples. It rose above 
the flames from the martyrs as they burned at the 
stake. It has gone up to God from every land. It 
has burdened every Christian's heart. It has arisen 



A Mind to Work. 49 

as sweet incense from every altar. And O, shall not 
the prayer of the good of all ages be heard in 
heaven? May not our faith look forward to the 
good time when the world shall be wholly redeemed 
from sin and brought back to God ? He that taught 
His disciples to offer the prayer, "Thy will be done 
in earth as in heaven," will see that the answer is 
given in His own good time. 

3. The Gospel possesses power sufficient to save 
the world. The prevalence of sin is so extensive, the 
wickedness of the human heart is so great, the world 
is so full of impurity and evil, that we may some- 
times doubt whether even the Gospel has power 
enough to lift up fallen humanity. The thunders of 
Sinai seem at times insufficient to awaken the guilty. 
A larger bestowment of grace seems necessary to 
keep faithful those who have been saved. To bring 
the whole world to God appears impossible. The 
task is one of vast magnitude, far beyond the ability 
of man to accomplish. But there is a greater than 
human power to do the work. God's Spirit is 
abroad in the world, troubling the consciences of 
men. A Savior of Divine wisdom and compassion is 
provided, one that is Almighty to save. His all- 
powerful arm laid beneath a fallen world can lift it 
up to truth and righteousness. Then we may re- 
joice that a Gospel that can save one soul is equal 
to the salvation of every soul. Men are all alike in 
sinfulness and want. The darkness of one mind, 
the impurity of one heart, is like to that of every 
other. The rescue of one soul by Divine grace from 
4 



50 The LitfE otf Faith. 

the bondage and dominion of sin is proof of power 
in the Gospel to save every believing- heart. Let 
that power be fully tested; let a like faith be exer- 
cised by every soul, and a like blessed experience 
will ever be realized. The Gospel has proven the 
"power of God unto salvation" in every land and in 
every condition in life. By it men have been saved 
in every age of the world. From the prince upon 
the throne to the peasant in the field ; from the occu- 
pants of marble halls to those who dwell in huts 
of poverty; from the chief among philosophers to 
the most abject and ignorant; from the noblest of 
moralists to the chief of sinners, come those who 
have experienced its saving power. Souls have 
been made pure and happy by the Gospel in every 
nation, tribe and clime. There is evidence strong 
and conclusive that it possesses power sufficient to 
save the world. 

4. The signs of the times foretell the coming 
triumph of the kingdom of Christ. Every close 
student of passing events must be impressed with 
the fact that Providence is bringing the world 
nearer and nearer to that brighter day. The spirit 
of invention and discovery has been wonderfully 
awakened in the past century, as if to aid in the 
evangelization of the whole world. Is there need 
of means to make known the Gospel in all lands? 
Mines of gold and silver of untold wealth have been 
providentially opened, and are pouring their rich 
offerings into the lap of Christian countries. Is 



A Mind To Work. 51 

there need of transportation for the Bible and the 
heralds of the truth? Steam cars swiftly traverse 
the land and steam vessels plow the ocean, ready to 
bear the Gospel in haste to every people. Is there 
need of more active agencies by which to send the 
messages of truth to all nations ? The electric wire 
encompasses every country, and the story of the 
cross may now be flashed at lightning speed to every 
continent, and even to the islands of the sea. The 
means are providentially provided, and the way is 
marked out and prepared for spreading the truths 
of the Gospel throughout the world. 

Again, the barriers in the way of the progress of 
Christianity are being removed, and nations that 
hitherto have been closed against the Gospel are 
opening their gates to the heralds of the cross. Fifty 
years ago the walls of China stood frowning upon 
the approach of any teacher of Bible truth ; but now 
they are broken down. Christian Churches are be- 
ing established in many of the cities of that land, 
and the sons and daughters of China are turning 
from Confucius to Christ. Fifty years ago Mexico 
was under the baneful sway of Jesuitism, and min- 
isters of the Gospel were not allowed to preach there 
a pure Christianity ; but now the Jesuit has lost his 
power, and a free Bible is read and a pure Gospel 
is received by many of its people. Fifty years ago 
the city of Rome was under the iron sway of the 
Papacy, and preaching by a Protestant minister was 
strictly prohibited ; now all religions have a free en- 



52 The LitfE o£ Faith. 

trance into that old city, the simple Gospel of Christ, 
which is the power of God unto salvation, is faith- 
fully proclaimed there, and even the pope himself 
has the opportunity, if he so desires it, to bow at a 
Methodist altar and seek forgiveness of sin. Fifty 
years ago Catholic Spain ruled with a despotic hand 
a large portion of the American continent and the 
islands of the sea, and compelled obedience to papal 
traditions and papal ceremonies; but now cruel 
Spain's scepter has been broken, her colonies in 
South America have obtained freedom to worship 
God according to the dictates of their own con- 
sciences, and on the islands of the sea the free ban- 
ner of the cross has been unfurled. Fifty years ago 
Africa was truly the Dark Continent; but now the 
light of the Gospel is breaking upon her hills and 
her valleys, and the songs and shouts of converted 
souls give cheer to her long-extended coasts. Fifty 
years ago and less, in our own land, the slave wore 
his fetters and dared not to learn to read the blessed 
Word of God; but now every shackle is broken, 
every bondman is set free, and all may learn the 
truth as it is in Christ. Surely the clouds are break- 
ing, the darkness of the world's night is passing, 
and there appears all along the horizon the bright 
forerunners of the better time coming. Prophecy, 
the efficacy of prayer, the abundance of Gospel 
grace, and the propitious signs of the times, all give 
promise of that good time coming when righteous- 
ness shall cover the earth as the waters cover the 
sea. 



A Mind to Work. 53 

II. The Principle Which Promises Success: 
"The People Had a Mind to Work/' 
Nehemiah and his bands of workmen encoun- 
tered many difficulties. Discouragements met them 
at every step. Judah said, "The strength of the 
bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much 
rubbish." Yet they courageously worked on. The 
old men were present to give counsel and advice, 
the women to prepare food, the boys and girls to 
carry water to the weary workmen, the strong and 
robust to lift the stones from the piles of rubbish 
to their places in the wall. Erelong they rejoiced 
to see the city reclaimed from its desolate condition, 
the gates set up in strength and beauty, and all parts 
of the wall completed; "for the people had a mind 
to work." 

The salvation of the world is committed to the 
followers of Christ as the instrumentality. God's 
people are to build up the wall. Angels have not 
been commissioned as preachers of the Gospel. The 
Church is to be the messenger of good news to the 
sons of men. Would you have the Bible read in 
every land ? You are to bear it thither. Would you 
have the name of Jesus known and sung in every 
clime? It is for you to lift up the cross and cry, 
"Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin 
of the world !" Would you have your neighbors, 
your friends, your loved ones, converted to God? 
While God gives His Son to save and His Spirit 
to convict, it is for you to remove the rubbish, to 
tell the story of the cross, and to lead to the pool of 



54 The Life of Faith. 

cleansing. To the Church is committed this hon- 
orable, this highly important duty, and the principle 
that insures success is a "mind for the work" on the 
part of God's people. 

The failure in the conquest of the world spirit- 
ually does not arise from want of sufficient numbers 
who profess Christianity. Nor is it because Chris- 
tians lack social position and power, or are want- 
ing in material means. The chief hindrance to re- 
vivals in the Churches, the great obstacle in the 
way of the conversion of the world, is the need of a 
mind to work on the part of the people of God. 
There is needed a deeper experimental interest in 
this salvation. There is wanted a keener sense of 
the fearful dangers to which sinners are exposed. 
There is required a more intense spirit of sacrifice 
for the cause of Christ. There is need of no new 
Gospel, or new organizations, or new forces. Let 
the dormant energies of the Church be awakened. 
Let the elements of power she already possesses be 
called into lively exercise. Let the people have "a 
mind for the work/' and the ark of the covenant 
will move forward gloriously. 

By this principle is obtained success in temporal 
affairs. By it our land, but lately a deep wilderness, 
has been transformed into growing cities, cheerful 
villages, and beautiful homes. Forests have given 
way to fertile fields, wild woods to rolling meadow 
lands, lonesome valleys to lively manufactories, be- 
cause "the people had a mind to work." The stu- 
dent is successful in solving problems and gaining 



A Mind to Work. 55 

knowledge if he has "a mind for the work." The 
merchant beginning with a small capital may con- 
stantly increase his stock, extend his trade, and en- 
large his fortune, if he has "a mind for the work." 
Our Revolutionary fathers, through storms and pri- 
vations, marched forward to victories that gave us 
this land of freedom, because they had "a mind for 
the work." By the same principle of success our 
land is threaded with railroads from ocean to ocean, 
our rivers and seas are burdened with vessels of 
commerce, our country is adorned with schoolhouses 
and colleges, and life and activity characterize all 
lines of business. Give to man "a mind for the 
work," and at once you make him a giant in power 
and adorn his brow with the crown of success. 

In spiritual endeavor the same principle holds 
good, only human effort is made more effective by 
the aid of the Spirit of God. Mark the life of the 
Apostle Paul. Tribulation and persecution con- 
stantly met him on his way. The world was ar- 
rayed in fierce opposition to his work as a preacher 
of the Gospel, yet his whole life was a sublime moral 
triumph. His voice was heard throughout the 
Roman Empire. Everywhere he gained converts and 
established Churches, because he had a "mind for 
the work." Luther, wielding the same spiritual 
weapons that we have, preaching the same Gospel, 
declaring the truths of the same Bible, awakened 
Germany to a life of faith, and caused the old 
apostate Church of Rome to tremble to its very 
foundation ; for, under God, he had a "mind for the 



56 The Life of Faith. 

work." Wesley was successful in bringing multi- 
tudes from the paths of evil, in leading thousands 
to a knowledge of the forgiveness of sin, and in 
unfurling the banner of holiness to wave over com- 
ing millions, because he had a "mind for the work." 
Our fathers, in perils oft, with sacrifices untold, 
bore the uplifted cross to all parts of our country, 
planted Churches that still live, sowed spiritual seed 
throughout the wilderness which is now producing 
golden harvests, because, under God, they had a 
"mind for the work." It was the same principle 
that led to your happy conversion and mine. Ear- 
nest Christians around saw our danger, and were 
moved with compassion in our behalf. They knew 
the only means of safety, and led us to the mercy- 
seat. They aided us with prayers and promises and 
tears of sympathy; and when our hearts were set 
free from the burden of guilt and sin, their voices 
were joined with ours in singing the new song of 
praise. 

Let Zion awake and put on her strength. Let 
every member be conscious of the influence he pos- 
sesses and the power he may wield with Divine 
help. Let the people of God all have a mind for the 
work. Then there will be no longer mourning for 
lack of success in the Church. This mind to work 
for the salvation of souls will bring the hearts of 
Christians nearer to Christ. It will incite each one 
to earnest, fervent, effectual prayer. It will give 
courage to warn the impenitent, to comfort the 
mourner, and to join in the shout when souls are 



A Mind to Work. 57 

converted. This mind for the work will invigorate 
the Church, will throw down the strongholds of 
iniquity, and extend the wave of light and holiness 
on every hand. It will prove the efficient means of 
ushering in, with shouts of saints on earth and saints 
in heaven, that good time when all shall know God, 
"whom to know aright is eternal life." 

III. The Glorious Triumph. 

We may be unable to imagine the glory of that 
day when the whole world is brought under the 
peaceful scepter of the cross of Christ. There have 
been periods in the history of the Church that were 
typical of that glorious event. Take that Church 
where the spirit of revival prevails. There the zeal 
and faith of every lover of Christ are quickened. 
There every member is found earnestly at work in 
striving to save the lost. There sinners yield to 
the power of Divine truth, and saints rejoice in the 
salvation of precious souls. The whole community 
realizes the presence of Divine power, and the walls 
of Zion are built up, for "the people have a mind to 
work." How grand will the scene be when every 
one professing the name of Christ throughout the 
world, with faith unwavering and with holy zeal, 
shall thus earnestly be at work; when every Chris- 
tian, endued with power, shall gladly assist in mak- 
ing known the truth and lovingly aid in leading 
sinners to Christ. The pulse of the moral world 
will then be quickened anew. The forces of evil 
will be overcome, and kingdoms, and tribes, and 



58 The Life oe Faith. 

peoples will be given unto the Son for a perpetual 
possession. 

In fancy ascend the mount of vision. Look upon 
the wall as it is being joined together. Witness the 
halo of glory that shall encircle the world when it is 
wholly redeemed to God. The rubbish of sin will 
be removed. The shadows of evil will fade before 
the breaking light of that bright morning. Wicked- 
ness and all that is degrading to humanity will be 
driven away. The sunlight of salvation, rising to 
meridian splendor, will illumine mountain and val- 
ley and plain. The whole earth will put on a garb of 
holiness, and its sons and daughters be arrayed in 
robes of white. 

It is said that some years ago a South Sea 
Islander and an Australian met aboard a vessel on 
the Southern Ocean. They were unable to hold a 
conversation together, not understanding each 
other's language ; yet a strange influence drew them 
together. The same spirit possessed each heart, the 
same hope sparkled in each other's eyes. They tried 
by gesticulations to communicate their thoughts, 
the one to the other. At last the Australian drew 
from his pocket a Bible printed in his own tongue, 
and with tears of joy pressed it to his lips. The 
South Sea Islander caught the idea and drew from 
his pocket a Bible printed in his language and fer- 
vently kissed it. Then one repeated the untrans- 
lated word in his book, Gloria. The other replied 
with a similar word from his book, Alleluiah; and 
together they mingled their tears of joy and shouts 



A Mind to Work. 59 

of praise, one in heart and one in hope, with the two 
words so full of meaning, Gloria, Alleluiah. 

So when, by the tick of the telegraph, shall come 
the news that the world is converted to Christ, the 
sons and daughters of man are all saved, a shout 
will arise louder than the roar of many waters. The 
polyglot tribes and peoples of the Western Conti- 
nent will lift up their glad voices with the shout of 
''Glory/' The polyglot tribes and peoples of the 
Eastern Continent will shout back "Hallelujah;" 
and with the islands of the sea the two continents 
will join together in the glad chorus, "Glory, Halle- 
lujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." 

I would love to live and witness that glorious 
event and join in that grand shout of victory. But 
it may not be so. Life's weary work may be done 
before that bright day may dawn. This wornout 
body may be laid away to rest, these eyes may cease 
to see, and this heart may grow still before that com- 
ing hour ; yet the soldiers of Christ will continue in 
the conflict. The bands of workmen will hasten on 
the building of the wall. And I have thought when, 
in that better land, as I mingle with the blood- 
washed throng, the messengers from earth should 
bring the news that the last sinner was deeply con- 
victed and was at the mercy-seat praying for par- 
don, that then I would go to my Heavenly Master 
and ask that I might go and help that soul in its 
struggle for salvation. On wings of light I would 
swiftly fly to that altar of prayer, and to that Sab- 
bath-school scholar crying for pardon I would ten- 



60 The Life of Faith. 

derly say, "Look to Jesus; He can save." And as 
the faith of that trembling penitent laid hold upon 
the promises, as guilt was rolled away, as pardon and 
peace were experienced by that heart, I would, with 
a convoy of angels, return shouting, "The last soul 
is saved ; the world is converted to God ; Jesus reigns 
in every land and in every heart." 

Let Thy kingdom, blessed Jesus, come! 



IV. 



THE CHURCH— ITS ORIGIN AND ITS PER- 
PETUITY. 

"Walk about Zion, go round about her; tell the 
towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, 
consider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the 
generation folloiving. For this God is our God 
for ever and ever. He will be our guide even 
unto death." — Psa. xlviii, 12, 13, 14. 

Zion was originally the name of one of the hills 
on which the city of Jerusalem was builded. It 
was afterward applied in the poetical language of 
Scripture to the whole city. Here was erected the 
king's palace. Here was set up the ark of the Lord 
when brought to the city by David. On one of the 
hills stood the temple of Solomon, richly adorned, 
and always redolent with the incense arising from 
its altars. The city of Zion was the center for the 
tribes of Israel, both of civil and religious service. 

This Psalm is a patriotic song of the Hebrew 
poet. It tells of his great admiration and affection 
for Jerusalem. It is the utterance of praise and 
thanksgiving to God for deliverance in time of 
danger. The confederate kings had gathered in 

61 



62 The Life of Faith. 

hostility against Zion. Their army had encom- 
passed its walls and threatened its overthrow. But 
instead of making an attack they strangely became 
panic-stricken. Fear took hold upon them, and 
they hastened away. The siege was raised and no 
damage had been wrought upon the city. The 
Psalmist recognizes the hand of God in the deliv- 
erance obtained. He breaks forth in the glad song 
of praise: "Great is the Lord and greatly to be 
praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of 
His holiness. As we have heard so have we seen in 
the city of the Lord of hosts. God will establish 
it forever." He calls upon "Mount Zion to rejoice, 
and the daughters of Judah to be glad." The city 
"beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth," 
had been saved from her enemies. Not a tower 
had been overturned, not a bulwark had been de- 
stroyed, not a palace had been despoiled of its 
beauty. God was known in Zion for a refuge. His 
mighty arm had brought deliverance. His love and 
His watch-care would "establish it forever." 

The Psalm also evidently possesses a higher spir- 
itual meaning. Zion is a type of the Church of God. 
Like Zion, she is "beautiful for situation, and is the 
joy of the whole earth." She, too, has passed 
through seasons of greatest danger. She has been 
surrounded by the combined hosts of evil. She has 
been threatened by powerful enemies. But God has 
been known in her palaces for a refuge. His pow- 
erful hand has been present to deliver in every con- 
flict. His promise still holds good to be her God 



The Church — Its Origin. 63 

for ever and ever. And we may join with the 
Psalmist in his notes of exultation: "Walk about 
Zion, go round about her; tell the towers thereof. 
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces, 
that ye may tell it to the generation following. For 
this God is our God for ever and ever. He will be 
our guide even unto death." 

I. There is Manifested in the Organization oe 
the Church Divine Workmanship. 
The Hebrews were Divinely guided in the build- 
ing of Jerusalem. He was the architect of her beau- 
tiful palaces, of her walls for protection, and of 
her grand temple for worship. The glory of His 
presence overshadowed her altars and made sacred 
her holy places. In every part of this city of His 
chosen people were evidences of the touches of His 
hand. So in the establishment of the Church 
among men are manifestations of Divine workman- 
ship. According to His all-wise plans her founda- 
tion has been laid; by His superintending care 
the whole superstructure has been completed. 

We do not use the term Church to designate 
any special company of God's worshipers ; nor does 
it refer to any single denomination of Christians; 
but by the Church is meant that spiritual body com- 
posed of all who love God and faithfully serve Him. 
Wherever are found those who worship Him in 
sincerity and truth, there is a part of God's true 
Church. With them He is present to give comfort 
and guidance; to such He has given His rich and 



64 The Life oe Faith. 

precious promises ; and for such He will ever prove 
a sure refuge and deliverer. 

It is true there are those who look upon the 
Church as only a human organization. They claim 
that it is a device of man, the mere work of priest- 
craft, a cunning invention by which to enslave 
human thought, and to bind burdens upon all who 
may be induced to enter its fold. They discard its 
teachings as only the teachings of designing men; 
they neglect its ordinances as only the commands 
of men, and use every means to destroy its influence 
as only that which is put forth by men. But a care- 
ful examination of the doctrines which the Church 
is commissioned to make known unto the world, a 
candid, unbiased, survey of the effect of observing 
its ordinances and services, and an honest recogni- 
tion of its wonderful influence in making the world 
better, will fully answer and dispel all these objec- 
tions of an unbelieving world. It is therefore with 
joyful confidence the Christian invites all to exam- 
ine the Church; "walk about Zion, go round about 
her." Look upon her when the sun shines brightest ; 
consider closely all her appointments; scrutinize 
every work wrought by her hand; feel the uplift- 
ing influence that issues always from her presence, 
and every unbiased mind must admit that "God is 
in the midst of her;" every partaker of the blessed 
truth she publishes will declare that truly Zion "is 
the joy of the whole earth ;" and all must see that 
God Himself has established the Church. The evi- 
dence of Divine workmanship in her organization 
may be found : 



The: Church — Its Origin. 65 

I. In her doctrines: "Tell the towers thereof." 
The towers of any city are the most prominent ob- 
jects about it, and first attract the attention of the 
traveler approaching its site. The towers of Jeru- 
salem rose high above its walls and other buildings. 
These towers typify the doctrines of the Church, 
the grand truths committed to her to make known 
unto the world; they are her chief characteristics, 
and are first to arrest attention. They are truths 
not discovered by human reason, but Divinely re- 
vealed to man. They are doctrines full of comfort 
to the believing heart and ever attest the wisdom 
and love of their Divine Author. 

Take the first grand doctrine proclaimed by the 
Church : there is one God who is the Creator of all 
things. All the teachings, all the services, all the 
work of the Church are inseparably connected with 
this truth. Remove this foundation principle, and 
the whole fabric will fall. But how do we come to 
know that there is one God who is the Creator of 
all things? Human reason could not have made 
the discovery. Reasoning from effect to cause 
would not have suggested the idea of one God. 
There are many effects manifest to man, and as 
every effect must have a cause, his process of rea- 
soning would have brought him to the conclusion 
that there must be many gods as the causes of these 
many effects. Polytheism is the result of reason- 
ing, but monotheism is a revelation. The idea that 
there is but one God is a revealed idea. When, 
however, this truth is once revealed, its demonstra- 
5 



66 The Life oe Faith. 

tion may be effected by reasoning from effect to 
cause. When the idea is made known, then man 
may "reason through nature up to nature's God." 
God first declares His own existence. He first an- 
nounces the fact that "in the beginning God made 
the heavens and the earth." The voice of the 
Church publishes everywhere this revealed truth. 
Then every blade of grass, every bursting bud, 
every singing bird, every floating cloud, every glit- 
tering star, and every blazing sun attest the truth- 
fulness and good philosophy of this doctrine. Reve- 
lation and nature both unite in pointing to the one 
great first cause of all things. And we with joy 
may look up to Him who 

"Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze; 
Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees ; 
Lives through all life, extends through all extent, 
Spreads undivided, operates unspent." 

Take the second great truth proclaimed by the 
Church: that in the sufferings and death of Jesus 
Christ an atonement is made for sinful man through 
which he may obtain pardon and rejoice in hope. 
This is not only a provision made by Divine mercy, 
but it is a fact Divinely made known. It is good 
news which heaven reveals. Man may naturally be 
conscious of sin. He may perhaps realize that he 
is guilty, and have some forebodings of condemna- 
tion; but he knows not where to go for help. He 
can discover nowhere any promise of pardon or 
any provision for the removal of guilt incurred. 



The Church — Its Origin. 67 

It is not found in the natural world. Everywhere 
there is law; to every law is attached a penalty; 
and every violator of nature's law suffers the pen- 
alty. In the whole realm of nature there is no inti- 
mation of mercy for the guilty or provision made 
for pardon. Nowhere is found a propitiation for 
sin. Justice ever stands demanding- that the guilty 
one suffer for the sin he has committed. 

Nor do we find in the investigations of science 
or the discoveries of philosophy an idea of an atone- 
ment for sin or means of rescue from the conse- 
quences of guilt. How could man conscious of 
guilt and sin be saved? It was the great problem 
of the ages how God could be just and yet forgive 
the sinner. It engaged the most earnest thought of 
patriarch and prophet. Angels, with their mighty 
intellects, could not find the answer. Yet from 
guilty man the unceasing cry for pardon and peace 
continues to arise. When he was ready to sink 
down in utter despair the problem was solved. One 
who could open the book sealed with seven seals 
was found. God so loved the world that He gave 
His only begotten Son to make an atonement for 
man. Jesus, in the garden and on the cross, in let- 
ters of blood, worked out the problem. He lay 
down His life for man ; He suffered in man's stead ; 
He died, the just for the unjust; and from the mo- 
ment that He cried, "It is finished !" and bowed His 
head in death, pardon and salvation have been pos- 
sible for man. Then sprang up new hope for a 
guilty world. Then God could be just and forgive 



68 The Life oe Faith. 

the sinner. Then dying man could look and live. 
High over the walls of Zion rises this grand tower. 
As it glitters in the sunlight of Divine mercy the 
desires of your heart and mine, like clusters of vines, 
may ever twine about it, while all condemnation is 
gone, and peace, like a river, flows through our 
souls. 

Take the doctrine of man's immortality. The 
Church of God proclaims this truth to the world. 
We treasure with delight the thought that we have 
souls that shall never die. But what are the grounds 
of this pleasing faith ? Whence do we gain any as- 
surance of this glorious fact? The ancient heathen 
philosophers wrote beautifully of man's immor- 
tality. They hoped that, while the body must die, 
the soul would still live. Yet they had doubts about 
its certainty. This cheerful dream was doubtless 
inspired by the rays of light afforded to them by 
tradition, or by slight contact, perhaps, with the 
teachings of Hebrew prophets ; but the light they 
had on the subject was too dim to assure them that 
it was a fact. In the Gospel, however, life and im- 
mortality are clearly revealed. Death may wield 
his scepter over all of man that is material, but he 
has no power over the soul. Every human form 
may faint and die, every human member may grow 
cold and lifeless, but the thinking, the hoping, the 
happy spirit of man will live on forever. With this 
truth of revelation shedding its beams about our 
steps we may even approach the grave with a heart 
full of joy, Wc may there gladly sing: 



The Church — Its Origin. 69 

" There is a balm for those who weep, 
A rest for weary pilgrims found ; 
And while their mold'ring ashes sleep 
Low in the ground, 

The soul, of origin divine, 

God's glorious image freed from clay, 
In heaven's eternal sphere shall shine, 
A star of day. 

The sun is but a spark of fire, 

A transient meteor in the sky; 
The soul, immortal as its sire, 
Shall never die." 

Again, take the doctrine of the resurrection of 
the body. In this we find farther evidence of Divine 
revelation. The reign of death is universal; all 
men die. Parting scenes are witnessed in 
every household. The dearest earthly bonds are 
severed. Burning tears and deepest grief will not 
stay the stroke of death. Funeral trains pass on 
every road. Graves are found on every hill, and 
tombstones are erected in every valley. The body 
of man dies, and is lowered into its resting-place 
to the sad notes "earth to earth, and dust to dust." 
The troubled heart often asks the question, "If a 
man die, shall he live again?" Reason has no 
premise on which to found an affirmative answer. 
Human philosophy can not afford the faintest hope 
of restoration to life. The attempt of some to find 
in the return of spring after the deadly blasts of 
winter are gone a proof of the resurrection fails. 
Vegetation revives then, but it is no resurrection. 



70 The Life of Faith. 

The new spring brings with it new grasses, new 
leaves, new flowers. It is not the old growth of the 
past year reviving from the dead. The faded 
flower no more unfolds its tinted petals nor sheds 
fresh fragrance on the morning air. The green 
grass that covered the hillsides has become lifeless, 
its verdure is gone ; it has turned to dust. The 
works of nature, the discoveries of science, the in- 
genious reasoning of philosophy, all fail to give 
proof of a resurrection. They do not find even an 
intimation of such a possibility. Their only reply 
can be "death is an eternal sleep." But, speaking 
through the Church, God gives a better hope to 
man. Go with me to yonder grave where the body of 
Lazarus reposes in death. Jesus, the world's Savior, 
standing there, may weep, too, at death's ruinous 
work; but hearken to His voice. Gently fall the 
words from His lips, "I am the resurrection and 
the life." At His command, the thrill of Divine 
power awakens the sleeper, and Lazarus lives again. 
Or stand by the side of the risen Christ on yonder 
mount. He has conquered death, and is now about 
to ascend from earth. A glorious promise is left 
as the heritage of all His disciples: "Because I 
live, ye shall live also." That to which nature is a 
stranger, that which science fails to make known, 
God in His blessed Word reveals to His saints : 
"This mortal shall put on immortality," in "Christ 
shall all be made alive ;" all that are in their graves 
"shall hear the voice of the Son of God and come 
forth." They shall live again. This tower rises in 



The Church — Its Origin. 71 

beauty above the grave of every saint, and from its 
hope-inspiring pinnacles sheds light upon the dark- 
est valleys of earth. Grief may now be assuaged, 
tears of separations may now be wiped away; for 
there is sure promise of the dawn of the glorious 
resurrection morning. 

These truths of revelation are fountains of joy 
to all of God's people. They are the Gospel of 
good news which the Church is commanded to 
preach to every creature. "Tell the towers thereof." 
They all stand in their places. They rise in beauty 
over the walls of Zion, and ever gleam in the mel- 
low sunlight of heaven. They are the perennial 
source of joy to the hearts of men. 

The evidence of Divine workmanship in the or- 
ganization of the Church may be found : 

2. In her means of offensive and defensive war- 
fare : "Mark ye well her bulwarks." 

The bulwarks built along the walls of the city 
were strongholds for the soldier in time of battle. 
While protected within them from the missiles of 
the enemy he could shoot his arrows with deadly 
effect against the approaching foe. When these 
strongholds were properly constructed and fully 
manned, it was difficult for any hostile force to 
break down the walls or take the city. 

The bulwarks of the Church are Divinely ap- 
pointed. From them defense may be effective 
against attack, and from them the darts of truth 
may be hurled to overcome error. 

There is the bulwark of Divine truth. An open 



72 The Life of Faith. 

Bible is the stronghold of the Church. It makes 
known God's will to man. It clearly shows his 
great need on account of sin. It unfolds the rich 
and gracious provisions for man's salvation. It 
is full of promises of life and immortality. Its 
truths dispel the dark clouds of error; its precepts 
mark out a plain pathway for God's Israel ; its re- 
wards held up to view include the joys of the life 
that now is and also of that which is to come. It 
is a lamp to the feet ; a shining light on the way of 
life; an efficient instrumentality in the salvation of 
men. 

Many years ago a young monk in Germany be- 
came an earnest student to know the truth. He 
ofttimes counted his beads ; he zealously performed 
works of penance ; he regularly visited his con- 
fessor; he faithfully attended the sacraments. Yet 
his heart found not the rest for which it longed. 
He panted for a peace that he could not gain. His 
soul was oppressed by a burden that seemed impos- 
sible to remove. At last he withdrew from all as- 
sociation with men, and buried himself in the*lonely 
cloister cell, hoping in quiet meditation to find that 
for which he so earnestly longed. While in that 
lonely abode he discovered an old book. Its lids 
were covered with dust and its leaves had for a 
long time been unturned. He opened its fading 
pages through curiosity, and began to read its chap- 
ters. He soon became deeply interested in its won- 
derful teachings. It opened a new world to his 
thoughts. He studied its interesting truths. He 



The Church — Its Origin. J3 

read with untold delight the story of the cross and 
Jesus' dying love. Accepting the good news of 
salvation, he yielded to the influences of the Holy 
Spirit, believed in Jesus, the sinner's Savior, as 
there revealed, and, being justified by faith, he 
found peace with God. The burden had fallen from 
his heart, and his soul was filled with joy. Pressing 
the Bible to his heart, he left the gloomy cell, he 
laid aside his monkish garb, and, going out upon 
the streets, he preached to his countrymen Christ 
and Him crucified. With the truths of that Bible 
Luther was instrumental in leading Germany to 
Christ, in banishing papal superstition from Ger- 
man minds, and in causing the foundation of the 
Vatican at Rome to tremble with fear. An open 
Bible is still the stronghold of the Church ; its truths 
are for the healing of the nations ; to all it brings 
the light of live-giving power. 

There is the bulwark of prayer. Man by his 
own strength would fail in conflicts with the enemy. 
He would be unable to overturn the strongholds of 
iniquity without aid. The Church in its warfare 
with the hosts of evil needs to be endued with 
power. Success in overcoming wickedness and in 
bringing the world to God demands help Divine. 
God's presence must go with Israel, or defeat will 
come. By prayer this help may be obtained. "Ask, 
and you shall receive," is the blessed assurance. To 
His saints upon their knees help is given. At the 
altar of prayer the Church obtains power to foil the 
foe and to march forward to glorious triumph. 



74 The Liee oe Faith. 

Prayers ascending from the closet, prayers offered 
at the family circle, and prayers going up from 
the altars of the Church are accepted as sweet in- 
cense on high, and the Divine presence and the 
Divine aid are given. "Prayer moves the arm that 
moves the universe." Who shall be able to with- 
stand the hosts of Israel if God be with them ? 

There is, as a fortification, a Divinely appointed 
ministry. This provision for the propagation of 
the truth and the advancement of the cause of 
righteousness in the world is marked by more than 
human wisdom. At all times the voice of a living 
ministry is heard. The message of love and mercy 
floats on every breeze. In unison the same theme 
is dwelt upon in every pulpit and by every preacher. 
The early apostles of Christ were few in number 
and unlettered men ; but success accompanied them 
everywhere. Adherents to the Christian faith were 
gained wherever they went; the spiritually dead 
world was aroused by their words; and though 
everywhere persecuted, Churches were founded and 
multitudes led to Christ. To-day the same agency 
is at work in overcoming evil. The cross is lifted 
up in every land, the banner of Christ is unfurled 
to every breeze, and the truths of the Gospel are 
proclaimed among all nations. With tireless energy, 
with increasing zeal, with untold sacrifices, these 
Divinely commissioned men are marching forward 
constantly, and there is good promise of the world 
being soon brought under the mild scepter of our 
Prince Immanuel. 



The: Church — Its Origin. 75 

"Mark ye well her bulwarks." They are firmly 
established on the walls of Zion. They are active 
and efficient in overcoming the attacks of the foe. 
They are wisely adapted to hasten the oncoming of 
the kingdom of Christ. 

3. God's handiwork is manifest in the precious 
privileges and ordinances of the Church. "Con- 
sider her palaces." The palace was the richly fur- 
nished mansion where abode the family of the king. 
The royal sons and daughters there held delightful 
communion together. At one board they feasted 
upon the richest viands. Notes of joy and sweet 
strains of music enlivened every hall. So the pal- 
aces of Zion are full of delight and gladness. The 
children of God there tell of His loving mercy and 
saving power. Songs of triumph ever fall from 
their lips. Smiles of joy ever light up their coun- 
tenances. Heavenly hopes ever inspire their bosoms. 
How joyful the scene as they mingle with each other 
and hold sweet communion with the great King! 
There faith grows stronger ; there the graces of the 
Spirit are developed; there heart beats to heart in 
the ecstasy of love, and the glory of God over- 
shadows each soul. 

Walk about Zion. Look upon her towers ; exam- 
ine her bulwarks ; pass through her palaces. Every- 
where there are touches of the Divine hand and 
evidences of Divine workmanship. The worshiper 
at the shrines of nature may turn away from the 
Church and boast of the wonderful teachings of 
science and philosophy. He may become enrap- 



76 The Life of Faith. 

tured with the scenes of beauty and the display 
of grandeur there presented. But there are heights 
and depths of Divine manifestation which he can 
not there find. The Christian can join heartily with 
him in admiration of the glory of God declared in 
the heavens above and the earth beneath. He, too, 
may be charmed with the beauty of bursting buds, 
with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and with 
the music of singing birds ; he, too, may wonder 
at the grandeur of mountain or ocean or starlit 
heavens ; and he, too, may join in the song of praise 
to the God of nature ; but he stops not there. The 
horizon of his enraptured vision grows larger and 
grander as he walks about Zion. There steadily 
shines forth the light of new truths. There hope is 
begotten by displays of Divine mercy. There he 
obtains a blessed assurance of a home beyond the 
skies lit up by Divine glory. There he is enabled 
to feast on foretastes of immortality and eternal 
life. Zion truly is "beautiful for situation, the joy 
of the whole earth." 

II. In the Perpetuity of* the Church There is 
Evidence of Divine Watch-care. "This God 
is our God. for ever and ever. He will be our 
guide even unto death." 

The Psalmist ascribes to God the deliverance 
of Zion from danger. He had broken the ships of 
Tarshish with an east wind. He had sent a fearful 
panic into the hearts of the enemy and caused them 
to flee away. He had saved the city from threat- 



The Church — Its Origin. 77 

ened destruction. In her palaces He was found for 
a refuge. His watch-care would enable her to stand 
forever. The same Divine presence and power in- 
sures the perpetuity of the Church. There are 
some who are always ready to prophesy evil to the 
Church. They imagine that she is already in a state 
of decrepitude. They fancy that they can see signs 
of certain decay. They are eager to note her fail- 
ures, and take pleasure in foretelling her fall. But 
these prophecies are only the words of the faint- 
hearted and faultfinding. The Church is steadily 
moving forward. She is constantly gaining in 
numbers and in power; and notwithstanding there 
may be prophets of evil within her pales, and bold 
enemies without, she will stand forever. 

I. Her perpetuity is made certain by the omni- 
presence of her center of power. 

The location of the center of power, the place 
where laws are enacted and executive orders are 
issued, has much to do with the prosperity and life 
of any government or nation. The fall of the 
Roman Empire was doubtless hastened by the great 
distance of its outlying provinces from the center 
of power. Its rulers and lawmakers dwelt at Rome. 
From Rome went forth orders and decrees to be ex- 
ecuted in distant parts of the empire. But many of 
these provinces were at so great a distance from 
Rome that hostile forces might overcome them or 
revolutions be accomplished before aid could be 
secured from the seat of empire. This weakness in 
its policy of government helped to hasten its over- 



78 The Life of Faith. 

throw. In our system of government there is a 
safeguard against such danger. Our center of 
power is not local; our President and lawmakers 
may be gathered in Washington, but they do not 
constitute our government. They are merely our 
servants, appointed to execute our will; "we, the 
people," are the rulers. Wherever is found a loyal 
American citizen, there is our center of power. 
Whether he dwells in a mansion or in a humble cot- 
tage ; whether his home is in the city or on the roll- 
ing prairie ; whether he is found in Washington or 
on the shores of the Pacific, — wherever he unfurls 
the starlit flag, there is a son of royalty; there is a 
ruler of this country; there is our center of power. 
While true patriotism inspires the soul of the Amer- 
ican citizen, our government must stand. No foe 
can successfully invade its borders ; no internal dis- 
order can weaken its foundations, no ruthless hand 
can pull down our flag; for our center of power is 
everywhere to defend, to sustain, to preserve. O, 
may that banner wave on in beauty forever, over a 
brave and free people ! 

In the Church the center of power is the omni- 
present Spirit of God. That Spirit which gives life 
to man's soul ; that Spirit which fills the heart with 
joy; that Spirit which leads on God's hosts to con- 
quest, is present in every part of the Church. He is 
the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by 
night to every true Israelite. He endues with 
power God's saints in all lands ; He goes with the 
messengers of good news to every people ; He visits 
the homes of the poor and the sorrowing ; He brings 



The Church — Its Origin. 79 

joy and deliverance to those who are in prison ; He 
stands by the bedside of the dying ; He is their rod 
and their staff as they pass through the dark valley. 
He is everywhere present, and possesses almighty 
power to guard the Church against her foes and to 
lead on to victory the hosts of Prince Immanuel. 
"This is our God for ever and ever. He will be our 
guide even unto death." 

2. The perpetuity of the Church may be argued 
from her history. 

The apostles of Christ, as they went forth 
preaching the Gospel, met with opposition on every 
hand. The early Christian Church suffered from 
fearful persecutions. The prison, the stake, the 
sword, were all employed against her progress. But 
the "blood of the saints became the seed of the 
Church." The Christian religion extended its in- 
fluence wider and wider. From a little band in 
an upper chamber in Jerusalem, the disciples of 
Christ were soon numbered by the thousands; and 
in three centuries Christianity gained the control of 
the Roman Empire. 

The Church was Divinely preserved during the 
revolutions of the Dark Ages. When her enemies 
failed to overcome her by attacks from without, 
they insidiously entered her holy places and tried 
to put out the light that shone from her altars. 
They attempted to suppress the reading of an open 
Bible by the people; they established penances and 
priestly confessions ; they introduced gorgeous 
ceremonies and flowing robes ; they appointed tink- 



80 The Liee oe Faith. 

ling bells and monastic orders ; they took delight in 
ecclesiastical impurity and ordained the inquisition ; 
yet after all their inventions and efforts, they failed 
to destroy the Zion of God. Her lamp was not put 
out. She still lived; and out of the deep wilder- 
ness you can see her coming ; she marches forth in 
triumph, like an army with banners, leaning upon 
the arm of her Beloved. 

Finally, the Church has safely withstood the 
severest thrusts of infidelity. Her conflicts with 
unbelief have been many and long continued. In 
every age and in every clime she has been opposed 
by fallen human nature. Her teachings have been 
discarded by the skeptic, and her overthrow con- 
fidently predicted by her enemies. One of the 
shrewdest infidel writers prophesied her fall. "It 
took," said he, "twelve men to write up Christianity. 
I will show the world that one man can write it 
down." But his boasting words remain unfulfilled. 
Even the chamber where this infidel penned his 
philippics against the Christian religion is said to 
have become a Bible publishing-house. Another 
skeptic, in his efforts to destroy the Christian 
Church, in his coarse tirades against Divine truth, 
predicted that it would not be long "till a corn-crib 
would hold all of the followers of Jesus." The 
blasphemous voice of this skeptical writer has long 
since been hushed in death. His book designed to 
overthrow Christianity is now seldom read ; its in- 
fluence is but little felt; but the Church has been 
steadily enlarging her borders. She has length- 
ened her cords and strengthened her stakes. The 



The Church — Its Origin. 8i 

number of the followers of Jesus has been increased 
manifold, until in every continent and on every 
island the cross is lifted up, and around the standard 
of the crucified One are gathering- the sons of men. 
"The mountain of the house of the Lord has been 
established in the top of the mountains ; and all na- 
tions are flowing into it." 

Zion still stands, beautiful for situation, the joy 
of the whole earth. This God who has hitherto 
preserved the Church has promised to be her God 
forever. The nations of the earth may rise and fall, 
jcivil governments be built up and then torn down, 
but the Church of God will stand forever. It is 
pleasant to indulge the hope that our country's flag 
may always be unfurled; that it may continue to 
the latest generation to wave over the homes of the 
brave and the land of the free. But even should it 
be torn from its staff and be trailed in the dust, we 
have the blessed assurance that the banner of the 
cross will wave on for ever and ever. The Church 
of God is built upon a rock, and the gates of hell 
can not prevail against it. 

Into its open door my steps were led when quite 
young. From its fountains of truth my soul has 
been drinking the healing waters for many years. 
In old age its associations, its services, its songs of 
praise and the hopes it inspires, continue to renew 
my strength; and erelong I shall greet with joy a 
transfer from the Church militant to the Church 
triumphant, from the joys and triumphs afforded 
on earth to the joys and triumphs eternal in heaven. 
6 



SALVATION BY GRACE. 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith." — Eph. 
ii, 8. 

The constant theme of the Apostle Paul was 
Christ and Him crucified as the Savior of sinners. 
This theme engaged his most earnest thought and 
meditation. It was the text of all of his sermons. 
Whenever he preached, whether to Jews or Gen- 
tiles, he presented Christ and Him crucified as the 
Savior of sinners. It formed the central idea of 
all of his Epistles. While he failed not to present 
and enforce the duties of practical Christian life, he 
especially held up the cross as man's only hope, and 
pointed to Christ and Him crucified as the Savior of 
men. This was the great theme of his thoughts, his 
sermons, and his letters, and to make it known to 
the world was the mission of his life. It is no won- 
der, then, that in his Epistle to the Ephesians he 
dwells upon this theme. While speaking to them of 
their blessed experience in religious things, he re- 
minds them that Christ crucified was the source of 
all their joys; that it was the love of God mani- 
fested in the gift of His Son that had enabled them 

82 



Salvation by Grace. 83 

to obtain pardon and peace and hope of heaven; 
for, says he, "By grace are ye saved through faith." 

If this theme could constantly engross the mind 
of Paul — a man who possessed large intellectual 
powers ; a man who was learned in the law ; a man 
who was zealous in standing up for the truth; if it 
could form the chief subject of his thoughts, of 
his conversations, and of his Epistles — should it not 
arrest our attention, should it not engage our minds, 
and should it not be the inspiration of our lives? 
It comes to us as the great theme of the ages, the 
wonder of the angels, the sheet-anchor of the 
world's hopes. 

The text affords us an important lesson in re- 
gard to the ruin wrought upon men by sin and the 
full and complete deliverance provided in the 
Gospel. 

I. There Was Need of Divine Grace that man 
might obtain salvation. The text implies this 
fact. 

Without Divine favor, without God's merciful 
provisions and loving help, there was no possible es- 
cape from the ruinous consequences of sin. By no 
efforts of his own, by no merits that he possessed, 
could man have been saved. His only hope was in 
the grace of God afforded in the gift of His Son; 
his only means of deliverance was in the atoning 
merits of the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

In order to give proof of this fact and to forci- 



84 The Li£e otf Faith. 

bly impress its importance upon the mind, the apos- 
tle describes the state of man as ruined by sin. He 
draws a picture of the moral condition of the Ephe- 
sians before their conversion, and points out the 
fearful danger from which they had been rescued 
by the Gospel. In this picture of the Ephesians 
before they experienced salvation he shows the nat- 
ural condition of every human being - ; it is the por- 
trait of every heart while without God's saving 
grace. 

I. They were morally dead. Before they were 
"quickened" or brought to life they were "dead in 
trespasses and sins." Paul does not here refer to 
the death of the body. He speaks of their moral or 
spiritual death, and states that this death had been 
brought about by "trespasses and sins." They were 
dead, and yet alive. While the members of their 
bodies were alive and active, the functions of their 
spiritual being were paralyzed by sin. They could 
see, and hear, and walk, yet morally they were 
dead. As were the Ephesians, so is every man with- 
out salvation. But you may ask, "What is it to be 
morally or spiritually dead? What is spiritual 
death ?" The answer may be found by solving the 
problem of temporal death which Paul uses fig- 
uratively. When sight fails, and the breath ceases, 
and the heart stands still in your friend, you say 
he is dead. But what is that death? You do not 
mean that he has been annihilated. His body lies 
before you. His hands are cold, his eyes are closed, 
his heart-throbs have ceased, but his body still ex- 



Salvation by Grace:. 85 

ists. And because the body, which you see, still 
exists, you may rightly infer that his soul, which 
you can not see, also exists. In the act of death 
there was not an end of his being, but certainly a 
separation, — the spirit, the living principle, had 
been separated from the body, the material form. 
Hence temporal death is a separation of soul and 
body. Spiritual death is also a separation. It is the 
separation of the life-giving principle from man's 
moral being. In the very day that man committed 
sin, the Spirit of God, the life-giving principle of 
man's soul, withdrew; a separation took place be- 
tween God's Spirit and man's spirit. He was left 
spiritually dead; without purity, without holy de- 
sires, without hope; dead to all the emotions of a 
happy life ; dead to all the smiles of Divine approval. 
To quicken to life again man thus spiritually dead, 
Divine grace was necessary; Divine power only 
could perform the work. 

2. They were naturally inclined to evil; they 
willingly "walked according to the course of this 
world." The inclination of their hearts was to do 
evil according to the dictates of an ungodly world ; 
the whole bent of their nature was towards its 
wicked follies and sinful fashions. At the unholy 
shrines which the world provided they were willing 
worshipers. How truly is this the picture of the 
natural man! He voluntarily follows whither the 
world would lead. He readily yields to its siren 
voice inviting him to paths of sinful pleasures. He 
performs with delight its behests of unrighteous- 



86 The Life of Faith. 

ness. He eagerly quaffs the waters that flow from 
its impure fountains. He applauds its unbelief of 
Divine truth, and revels in its disregard of Divine 
commands. Whatever a sinful world presents he 
readily accepts, and even its most unreasonable 
theories find in him a willing disciple. This is not 
only true of those who have never been purified by 
grace, it is also true of those who, having expe- 
rienced God's saving power, have grown cold in 
His service and turned again to the world. A strik- 
ing instance was found in a certain Church. One 
who had been a very faithful and active member and 
lived for a length of time an earnest Christian, in 
an hour of trial became estranged from God's serv- 
ice. Her zeal grew cold, her faith became weak, 
her interest in performing religious duties was gone. 
While in this backslidden condition a skeptical 
lecturer, one who had no faith in the saving power 
of the Gospel, unfolded in her presence some of 
the materialistic theories of the world. She was 
captivated by his so-called philosophy, and at once 
accepted his teachings as the truth. The next time 
she met her pastor she was even ready to contro- 
vert with him some of the essentials of Christianity. 
With all the zeal of a new convert she announced 
to him her new faith, and declared that she was 
sure the world would never be converted nor the 
millennial day dawn until the shape of the human 
head was changed ; that unless an organ of devotion 
was developed on man's cranium he could not be- 
come a devotional being; that his moral character 



Salvation by Grace;. 87 

depended upon the existence upon his skull of the 
organ of morality. She had forgotten that the com- 
ing of the millennial day and the possession of a de- 
votional spirit depended not so much upon the shape 
of the head as the state of the heart; that the mil- 
lennial day would dawn when the heart of humanity 
is made new by the Spirit of God. The man who 
is spiritually dead naturally pursues a life "accord- 
ing to the course of the world." 

3. They were under the control of the spirit of 
evil. They walked "according to the prince of the 
power of the air, the spirit that worketh in the chil- 
dren of disobedience." By nature inclined to evil, 
sin had provided for them a crafty leader in works 
of unrighteousness. They had a captain whose com- 
mands they obeyed, but he was the captain of the 
hosts of darkness. They had a banner under which 
they marched, but it was the black flag of Satan. 
They had a warfare in which they were engaged, 
but it was a battle against truth and righteousness. 
They were led by "the prince of the power of the 
air." In the same ranks and under the same flag 
are marshaled to-day all whose hearts have not been 
savingly touched by the grace of God. Volunteers 
in the army of Satan, they are helping, by their ex- 
ample and their works, to build up his kingdom. 

4. They were heirs of Divine wrath. The apos- 
tle draws in darkest lines the condition of the 
Ephesians and the picture of all men who are dead 
in trespasses and sins. He represents them as ex- 
posed to fearful danger. They are not only spirit- 



88 The Life of Faith. 

ually dead; they are not only inclined to evil; they 
are not only "led captive by the devil at his will ;" 
but, still worse than this, they are "children of 
wrath ;" and if they are children of wrath, then are 
they heirs of wrath. The inheritance which awaits 
them is wrath. The trend of their whole life of sin 
is towards wrath. How full of terror is their condi- 
tion ! Dark clouds are gathering over their skies. 
Deep mutterings of the coming storm can already 
be heard. "Children of wrath !" It is not the wrath 
of man to which they are exposed ; they might over- 
come their fellows who would rise up against them. 
It is not the wrath of the rulers of the land with 
which they are threatened; they might escape be- 
yond their jurisdiction. It is the wrath of God! 
They are heirs of His wrath who is Almighty and 
can not look upon sin with the least degree of al- 
lowance. They are heirs of the wrath of Him who 
made them, and who, as Judge, is to fix their eternal 
doom. Heirs of wrath ! 

How can fallen man be saved ? Spiritually dead, 
how can he be quickened into spiritual life? In 
bondage to sin, a captive to Satan's power, how can 
he be set free? An heir of Divine wrath, how can 
the dark clouds of condemnation be rolled back and 
man be restored to Divine favor? Sin had formed 
a deep gulf between earth and heaven. Man had no 
skill or means to bridge that fearful chasm, and on 
it pass over to Divine favor. Helpless and hope- 
less, he was ready to perish. But when despair 
was about to overwhelm him, grace was provided; 



Salvation by Grace:. 89 

a way of safety was found. Jesus looked with an 
eye of pity upon him. On wings of love He flew to 
man's relief. He laid down His own life that man 
might live. On the abutments of His loving hu- 
manity and adorable Divinity He cast up a bridge 
over the gulf of despair, cementing its every joint 
with His own heart's warm blood. Now man may 
pass over that highway from the darkness of sin 
and guilt to the light of Divine favor and the lib- 
erty of the children of God. Grace is provided, and 
man may be saved. 

II. Grace Becomes Effective in Man's Salva- 
tion Through Faith. "For by Grace are Ye 
Saved Through Faith." 

The possibility of man's recovery from sin and 
its effects is made certain by the provision of Divine 
grace; but how is that grace applied that salvation 
may be realized? This question is of the utmost 
importance, and yet different answers to it are given 
even by professed Christians. The different opin- 
ions held and the different theories advanced should 
be tested only by the light of God's Word. 

1. There are those who advance the theory that 
the provision of grace insures the salvation of all 
men unconditionally. They hold that God's love for 
the whole world led to the gift of His Son in man's 
behalf, and that nothing can limit the saving power 
of that love ; that man is saved by Divine grace, and 
therefore that grace is all-powerful to save all men ; 
that there is nothing in man and nothing can be 



90 The Life oe Faith. 

done by man to prevent that grace from accomplish- 
ing the salvation of the whole world. But such 
teachers fail to note the emphatic language of the 
apostle. He not only says, "By grace are ye saved," 
but he goes farther, "By grace are ye saved through 
faith." He presents faith as necessary. Grace is 
provided, but without faith there is no promise of 
salvation. Many other Scriptures teach the same les- 
son. The forerunner of Christ preached "He that 
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he 
that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the 
wrath of God abideth on him." Faith in Christ is 
necessary for life here and life hereafter. He that 
buildeth his house on other foundation is building 
on sand. When the rains descend, and the floods 
come, and the winds blow and beat upon that house, 
it will fall, and with it all the hopes of the bliss of 
heaven. The storehouse of grace is full, but we 
must draw supplies from it by faith. That grace 
may be made effective in giving us spiritual life, in 
cleansing our hearts from sin, in turning away the 
clouds of Divine condemnation, we must believe on 
the Son. Faith affords safety and shelter by hid- 
ing us in the cleft side of a loving Savior. With- 
out faith in Christ the benefits of Divine grace are 
ineffective, and man lives exposed to the fearful 
consequences of sin and unrighteousness. 

2. Another theory is presented in regard to the 
application of grace in man's salvation. It is held 
that faith is the necessary condition, but that faith 
is an especial gift of God ; that man can not believe 



Salvation by Grace. 91 

unless he receives that especial gift, and that if he 
does not believe he can not be saved. The words 
of the apostle in connection with the text are made 
the basis of this theory: "By grace are ye saved 
through faith ; and that not of yourselves, it is the 
gift of God." It is claimed that Paul here asserts 
that faith is the especial gift of God. How, then, 
it is asked, can man believe and be saved unless 
that especial gift is bestowed upon him? But the 
language of the apostle will not bear such an inter- 
pretation. Faith is not the antecedent of the term 
"that" which is asserted to be the gift of God. The 
original Greek word translated "that" does not 
agree in gender with the term "faith." Its antece- 
dent, which is the especial gift of God, is neither the 
term "faith" nor "grace," but the whole phrase, "By 
grace are ye saved through faith." The glorious 
provision of salvation by grace through faith is 
that which is not of ourselves, but is of God. The 
wonderful plan of salvation by grace through faith 
is not the device of human reason or human philoso- 
phy ; it is God's own handiwork. It is God's espe- 
cial gift to man. He provided the atoning sacrifice ; 
He appointed the simple condition of faith ; He ap- 
plies the saving grace to man's heart; He gives 
spiritual life and hope of heaven. The work of sal- 
vation is all wrought by Him. Again, if faith were 
the especial gift of God bestowed upon some and 
withholden from others, then could those who are 
lost because they received not that gift, regard God 
as partial and therefore unjust, and truly plead that 



92 The: Life oe Faith. 

they were not responsible for their eternal destiny. 
Take, as an illustration, the case of Dives. The 
rich man, it is said, lived in affluence and pleasure, 
gave loose reins to his appetites and passions, re- 
garded none of God's warnings against sin or His 
offers of saving mercy, and that he "died, and in hell 
he lifted up his eyes being in torment." Now, go to 
him, in imagination, and ask him: "What brought 
you to such an awful doom? Was there not in 
yonder world salvation provided for man? Was it 
not salvation by grace and through faith? Why, 
then, did you not seek that salvation that would 
have kept you out of this place of torment?" If 
the theory we are considering be true, he could very 
well reply: "Yes, there was salvation provided. 
It was salvation by grace and through faith. But 
faith was an especial gift of God to those who were 
to be saved. I did not receive that gift and there- 
fore could not believe; and because I did not be- 
lieve I could not be saved. I was brought into the 
world, by no choice of my own, with a sinful na- 
ture. By a life of wickedness I incurred guilt, and 
condemnation. There was no pardon for me, for 
I could not believe. I am lost, eternally lost; but 
I could not avoid it." Would he not be justified in 
charging God with partiality and injustice in with- 
holding from one of His fallen creatures the means 
of recovery? Such a theory is clearly not in har- 
mony with God's attributes of mercy and justice; 
nor does it accord with the teachings of His Word 
or His dealings with men. 



Salvation by Grace. 93 

3. Another answer to the question, "How is 
grace made effective in man's salvation ?" is that he 
is saved by grace through faith, that each one pos- 
sesses the power to believe, and is held responsible 
for the exercise of that power. Salvation is pro- 
vided by grace, help to believe is afforded by grace, 
but the acceptance or rejection of salvation is a mat- 
ter of free volition on the part of man. This theory 
is free from the charge of partiality against 
the Divine administration, and fully recognizes 
man's responsibility. Let this theory also be tested 
in the case of the rich man and Lazarus. Dives 
lived surrounded by wealth and friends. He en- 
tered with delight into every round of sinful pleas- 
ure. His days were spent in the gratification of de- 
sire and appetite. He gave no heed to the earnest 
warnings against performing deeds of wickedness 
or to the frequent messages of saving mercy. He 
lived a sinful life, and "died, lifting up his eyes be- 
ing in torment." Go ask him : "What brought you 
to this place of dark despair? Was not salvation 
provided for you in yonder world? Why, then, 
were you not saved and permitted to enter the land 
of the blessed?" He could only reply in deepest 
sadness : "Yes, salvation was provided for every sin- 
ner ; it was salvation by grace through faith ; warn- 
ings of coming danger were often given ; offers of 
mercy fell upon my ear day by day ; I was urged to 
repent of sin and accept by faith the sinners' 
Savior ; I had the power to believe, but I loved sin 
too well. The pleasures and frivolities of a wicked 



94 The Life of Faith. 

world occupied my willing- mind too much for me 
to think of eternal things. I would not repent; I 
refused to believe. I am lost, and my condemna- 
tion is just. God was longsuffering and merciful; 
I alone am responsible for my eternal doom." He 
could bring no complaint against God for partiality 
in His dispensation of mercy to men, nor find fault 
with being assigned to the fearful doom he had vol- 
untarily chosen. 

The objection may be raised that if man possesses 
this power to believe, and is saved because he ex- 
ercises faith, that then he will ascribe the glory of 
his salvation to his own works and not to God. 
But there are no grounds on which to found such 
an objection. The whole plan of salvation is of 
God, and to Him belongs all the glory of its results. 
Take the case of Lazarus as an illustration. It is 
said that while in this world he was very poor and 
severely afflicted. He was laid at the rich man's 
gate, and gladly fed upon the crumbs that fell from 
the rich man's table. While lying there he "died, 
and was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom." 
Go to him in his glorified estate and ask him how 
he was enabled to escape from the sorrows of earth 
and to enter the Paradise of God. Could you hear 
his voice, I have thought he would joyfully answer: 
"In the world I was a child of poverty, and my 
body was sore with disease. I lay at the rich man's 
gate, and gladly ate of the crumbs that fell from 
the rich man's table. I had no friends to sympa- 
thize with me. The passing dog was my only phy- 



Salvation by Grace. 95 

sician. While I lay there in pain and suffering, I 
heard the voice of one singing in the distance. The 
strange melody arrested my attention, and as I 
earnestly listened the words of the chorus fell 
sweetly upon my ear: 'Salvation by grace through 
faith ; salvation by grace through faith !' The notes 
grew more tender and the words more interesting 
as the messenger came nearer. They fell upon my 
sad heart like dew upon the thirsty flowers. As the 
messenger passed by my lowly bed singing 'salva- 
tion by grace through faith; salvation by grace 
through faith!' I put forth the trembling hand of 
faith; I took firm hold upon the rich and glorious 
promises; the burden of sin and guilt was lifted 
from my heart; my soul swelled with such ecstasy 
of joy that it burst its prison house of clay, and, 
mounting on high, I was borne on angels' wings to 
the Paradise of God." But hark to his shouts of 
gladness; they are not words of praise of his own 
works or of his own merits, but joyful thanksgiving 
to God and the Lamb for this great salvation. He 
gives all the glory for his wonderful deliverance 
to Jesus and Him crucified, the Savior of sinners. 

III. This Salvation is Glorious. 

Sacrifices are necessary on the part of man that 
salvation may be experienced, but it more than com- 
pensates for them all. It is "profitable unto all 
things, having promise of the life that now is, and 
of that which is to come." 

I. It is salvation from the guilt and condemua- 



g6 The; Life of Faith. 

tion of sin. He that comes to God by faith, he that 
accepts of Jesus as his Savior, receives pardon for 
all his sins. Divine condemnation is withdrawn, 
the conscience of sin is removed, and there is im- 
parted to the heart peace with God and the blessed 
assurance of adoption into His family. The joy of 
this gracious change is inexpressible and full of 
comfort. 

2. It is salvation from the power and the domin- 
ion of sin. The heart is made new. Its natural im- 
purity is taken away. Desire and affection and 
hope rise to things above. The blood of Jesus 
cleanseth from all sin. The soul that was spirit- 
ually dead is quickened by the grace of God; it no 
longer walketh "according to the course of the 
world," nor is led by "the spirit that worketh in 
the hearts of the children of disobedience," but, 
filled with Divine life and love, traces with delight 
the highway of holiness, the path that grows 
brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. 

3. It is salvation from the last effects of sin. 
Not only has man incurred guilt and condemnation 
on account of sin; not only has his moral nature 
been made impure and unholy, but the introduction 
of sin into the world has been the cause, doubtless, 
of all physical pain and bodily suffering. Every 
disease that preys upon the human flesh is begotten 
of sin. Every sick-bed has beeen prepared by sin. 
Every death scene has been created by sin. Every 
shroud has been woven by sin. Every grave has 
been dug by sin. Because of sin man became mortal 
and the earth a vast graveyard. Because of sin 



Salvation by Grace;. 97 

every human form bears marks prophetic of death, 
and around every family circle are grief, and broken 
ties of love, and deep weeds of mourning. O, how 
cruel has sin been to man ! But, thank God, his 
scepter shall not always be triumphant. Good news 
is announced from heaven. Salvation by grace has 
been provided, Salvation from the last effects of 
sin. Jesus has come, a full, a complete Savior. He 
not only purchased our pardon on Calvary, He not 
only provided sanctifying power in sending the 
Holy Comforter, but standing by the grave of those 
who loved Him He cries out, "I am the resurrec- 
tion and the life." A brighter morning will dawn 
by and by; then every tomb shall be uncovered, 
then every saint sleeping in Christ will hear the 
voice of the Son of God, and come forth to ever- 
lasting life, saved from the last effects of sin. 

Very early in life the glad news of this salvation 
fell upon my ears, and its gracious power touched 
my heart. Realizing my great need, I bowed at the 
mercy-seat, while tears of deep penitence flowed 
from my eyes. Earnest prayers were offered in my 
behalf; earnest Christians told me to look to Jesus, 
the sinners' Friend, for help. My own dear mother 
held me in her arms, and, mingling her tears with 
mine, encouragingly said, "Believe in Jesus, He can 
save." But faith was too weak to lay hold upon 
the promise. She still spoke words of encourage- 
ment, saying, "Believe in Jesus ; He is willing to 
save." Repeating to me the precious promises of 
the Gospel, she said, "Believe in Jesus; He saves 



98 The: Life; of Faith. 

now." Letting go of all else, my faith rested alone 
upon Him "who loved me and gave Himself for me." 
The load of guilt was rolled from my heart, assur- 
ance of pardon was imparted to my soul, and the 
joyful words fell from my lips, "A sinner saved by 
grace !" Since that glad hour many showers of 
mercy have fallen upon me, many seasons of re- 
freshing have been experienced; often I have been 
permitted from Pisgah's heights, by faith, to view 
the promised land; yet the joyful sentiment of my 
heart has ever been, "A sinner saved by grace!" 
Looking forward to the closing hours of life, the 
unbidden desire has arisen that the final summons 
should come to me at home, that loved ones should 
be near to wipe the death-sweat from my brow and 
"sing to me of heaven when I arn called to die." 
Whether this shall be so or not, or even if I have 
to lean my head upon a stone in the wilderness 
when life is passing away, it will not matter, if 
then with full triumph I am enabled to say, "A 
sinner saved by grace!" And then, on the other 
shore, as I meet the loved ones gone on before, as 
with them I survey the fields of eternal bliss, as I 
mingle with that glorious company who "have 
washed their robes and made them white in the 
blood of the Lamb," I will ever sing, "A sinner saved 
by grace !" It is a glorious salvation. The store- 
house of God's grace is full, and all by faith may 
realize its saving power. 

" Its streams the whole creation reach, 

So plenteous is the store ; 
Enough for all, enough for each, 

Bnough for evermore." 



VI. 

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become 
the Urstfruits of them that slept." — i Cor. 
xv, 20. 

The plan of salvation is Divine. It was Di- 
vinely conceived, Divinely revealed, and Divinely 
completed. Its wise adaptation to the na- 
ture and condition of man, and its perfect 
harmony with the attributes of God, are proof 
of its Divine origin. Its very conception im- 
plies Divine wisdom, its bountiful provisions of sav- 
ing mercy could only emanate from Divine love. 
Its revelation to the world, the unfolding of this 
wonderful scheme, was by Divine inspiration. And 
the act of its completion — the resurrection of Christ 
— was performed by Divine power. The whole 
scheme of human redemption bears the impress of 
Divinity. 

In all its parts it excites deepest thought, su- 
premest wonder, and inexpressible joy. The Chris- 
tian hears with gladness the chorus of the angels 
announcing the birth of Christ. He follows with 
increasing interest the steps of Jesus as He delivers 
to the people His message of mercy, and performs 

99 

Laffc 



ioo The Life oe Faith. 

in Judea His wonderful works. He views with 
tearful sadness the humiliation of Christ, His re- 
jection, His poverty, and His ignominious death 
upon the cross, but with a heart throbbing with 
unspeakable delight he hails the Savior rising from 
the tomb, having conquered death and obtained vic- 
tory over the grave; and without fear and without 
doubting he unites with the apostle in his confi- 
dent exultation, "But now is Christ risen from the 
dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 
This truth inspires his heart with joy, makes 
stronger his faith, and gives new life and new vigor 
to his hopes. 

The resurrection of Christ is presented by the 
apostle for our earnest thought and as an admoni- 
tion to constant faith. 

I. The Necessity of His Resurrection. 

The importance of this fact is seen in its vital 
connection with the salvation of man. The plan of 
redemption was only completed when Jesus arose 
from the dead. Saving faith necessarily implies the 
acceptance of this truth. A denial of the resurrec- 
tion of Christ is a rejection of the whole plan of 
Gospel salvation. 

I. It was necessary in order that prophecy might 
be fulfilled in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The 
seers of old, in speaking of the coming of the Mes- 
siah, of the works that He would perform, and the 
life He would live, also predicted His resurrection 
from the dead. In his Song the inspired Psalmist 



Resurrection oe Christ. ioi 

represents the Messiah as saying, "Thou wilt not 
leave my soul in hell, nor suffer thy Holy One to 
see corruption." Although His death is implied in 
these words, yet His soul was not to remain in the 
place of departed spirits, nor was His body to 
molder to dust in the grave ; or, in other words, He 
would be raised to life. Jesus foretold His own res- 
urrection. "The Son of man," said He, "must suf- 
fer many things, and be rejected of the elders and 
Chief priests, and be slain, and be raised the third 
day." It was necessary that He should arise to ful- 
fill the words of prophecy as well as His own pre- 
dictions, and thereby give proof that He was the 
Messiah. 

2. It was necessary that He should arise from 
the dead that man might have the knowledge of 
pardon for sin. Jesus, when about to be taken away 
from His disciples, told them that He would not 
leave them comfortless, but would send the Com- 
forter, who should abide with them forever. It is 
doubtless to this work that the apostle refers when 
he says that Jesus "rose for our justification." Had 
He not risen, this promise could not have been ful- 
filled. The joy and peace of conscious pardon, and 
the consolation derived from communion with God, 
are the blessed results of the coming of the Com- 
forter sent by the risen Christ. 

3. It was necessary that He should arise that 
we might have a pledge, a proof, and a pattern of 
our own resurrection. He became "the firstfruits 
of them that slept." On the third day after the feast 



102 The Life of Faith. 

of the Passover the law required the Jew to bring, 
as his offering, a sheaf as the firstfruits of the com- 
ing harvest. This sheaf was proof that a harvest 
was at hand, and it also was a sample of the har- 
vest to be gathered. Jesus by His resurrection be- 
came the "firstfruits of them that slept." Others 
had been brought to life from the dead, but they all 
died again ; He arose to die no more. As the "first- 
fruits" gave proof of a coming harvest, His resur- 
rection was a pledge and proof of the resurrection 
of His saints. His risen body, all immortal and 
glorious, was a sure prophecy of the glorious bodies 
with which His saints should come forth in the 
resurrection morning. The hope and assurance of 
that joyful day is founded upon the triumph of 
Christ. The sadness of the hour of separation is 
relieved, the sting of death is extracted, and for all 
His dying saints He becomes the resurrection and 
the life. He is the "firstfruits" of a glorious har- 
vest. 

II. The Certainty of the Resurrection of 
Christ from the Dead. The apostle speaks 
of it as a fact ; "but now is Christ risen from the 
dead." 

The important truth announced in these words 
is presented, not only as an object of faith, but of 
certain knowledge. It is the foundation truth of 
all Christian doctrine. It is the keystone in the arch 
of man's salvation. He that is without the knowl- 
edge of this fact knows not God in the pardon of 



Resurrection of Christ. 103 

sin. If there is uncertainty about this fact, then 
the Christian religion is uncertain. If the resurrec- 
tion of Christ is a fiction, then Gospel provisions 
and Gospel promises all prove to be a fiction. Re- 
move this foundation truth, and the whole Christian 
fabric falls to the ground. 

It is no wonder that the enemies of Christianity 
have tried to their utmost to surround this fact 
with a cloud of uncertainty. Its miraculous nature, 
its proof of the presence of Divine power, its con- 
vincing influence upon the minds of men of the 
truthfulness of the Gospel religion, have made it 
the especial object of attack by the forces of unbe- 
lief. If they succeed in their effort in making un- 
certain the resurrection of Christ, their triumph is 
complete. If they can remove this keystone the 
arch of Christianity will fall, and man is left with- 
out hope of salvation in Christ. The question, 
therefore, is of vital importance, Did Christ arise 
from the tomb? Is it a fact beyond contradiction? 
Is it a matter of certain knowledge ? Our salvation 
depends upon this knowledge. Our hope of heaven 
rests upon this fact. We must know it to be the 
truth. 

The Christian's heart rejoices to be assured that 
the resurrection of Christ is proven by evidence the 
most clear and decisive. No other historical fact 
is more fully attested. No other historical event is 
established by more credible testimony. And this 
testimony, after the most thorough examination and 
critical scrutiny, both by the friends and the enemies 



104 The LiW of Faith. 

of the Christian religion, stands unshaken and per- 
fectly conclusive. 

1. The admission of the enemies of Jesus is pre- 
sumptive proof. These admissions were made at 
the time when the event took place. The Roman 
soldiers who had been appointed to watch the sepul- 
cher, and especially to guard against any deception, 
after the wonderful occurrences of the third morn- 
ing, "came into the city and showed unto the chief 
priests all the things that were done." The leaders 
of the Jews could not deny their statements, but per- 
suaded them to make a different report, giving them 
money to say, "His disciples came by night and stole 
Him away while we slept." The chief priests ad- 
mitted that Jesus had been raised from the dead, 
but hoped by bribery and falsehood to deceive the 
people. It is also said that, in a letter written by 
Pilate, the Roman governor, he speaks of the fact 
of Christ's resurrection, and expresses his wonder 
and surprise at the strange occurrence. The first 
report of the affrighted sentinels, the evident ad- 
mission of the fact by the chief priests, and their 
weak effort to give currency to a different story, 
form a strong presumption that Jesus arose from 
the dead. 

2. The large number of persons who declared 
that they had seen Jesus alive after His death in- 
creases this presumption. The number of witnesses 
to any alleged fact always affects the probability of 
its truthfulness. The testimony of only one wit- 
ness in the courts very often determines the de- 



Resurrection oe Christ. 105 

cision of the case. But let two or more witnesses 
bear testimony to the same fact, as the number of 
witnesses increases the probability is increased that 
their testimony is true. The guilt or innocence of 
a man charged with crime, or the establishment of 
the title to earthly possessions, would be deter- 
mined by the corroborative evidence given by them. 
The risen Savior was seen by many. A large num- 
ber of His disciples said they saw Him and con- 
versed with Him after His resurrection. Mary 
was saluted by Him at the door of the sepulcher on 
the third morning. The two disciples who walked 
in sadness towards Emmaus were made glad when 
Jesus joined their company and made Himself 
known in the breaking of bread. The eleven disci- 
ples met in an upper room in Jerusalem, were first 
startled with fear, and then filled with joy, when 
He appeared in their midst. The apostle in this 
letter asserts that more than five hundred persons, 
the most of them then living, had seen the risen 
Savior. The fact was made known in the city near 
which His dead body had been laid in the sepulcher, 
and to multitudes who doubtless had cried out, 
"Crucify Him !" It is the testimony of not one 
witness only; and the testimony of so many to the 
same fact makes strong the presumption that Jesus 
arose from the dead. 

3. The testimony borne by the disciples of Christ 
is credible. It affords certain knowledge of the fact 
of His resurrection. There is not only strong pre- 
sumptive proof derived from the confessions of His 



io6 The LitfE of Faith. 

enemies and the statements of the large number of 
His disciples, but the testimony given by His dis- 
ciples is convincing beyond doubt. The candid 
manner in which they bear their testimony, the ex- 
actness with which they corroborate each other, and 
the fearful danger to which they exposed them- 
selves for publishing the fact, all give conclusive 
proof that what they stated was the truth. 

The chief effort of infidelity has been to destroy 
the credibility of these witnesses to the resurrection 
of Christ. But its shrewdest efforts to accomplish 
this have failed; its keenest shafts have fallen to 
the ground. The noted argument of Hume, the 
ablest of the opponents of Christianity, is inconclu- 
sive and full of fallacies. He very confidently and 
ingeniously presents his argument. It is contrary, 
he says, to human experience that a miracle should 
be wrought or that a dead man should be brought 
to life; but it is in accordance with human experi- 
ence that men testify falsely. We must therefore 
conclude, he contends, that the disciples of Christ 
did not speak the truth in saying that they had seen 
Jesus alive after He had been put to death, and that 
Christ did not arise from the dead. By this grand 
sweep of his logic, this infidel writer attempts to 
destroy the credibility of the witnesses to the resur- 
rection of Christ, and to cause the world to believe 
that, instead of being a wonderful fact, it was only 
a delusive fiction. But by careful examination of 
his argument it will be found that his premises are 
far from the truth and his conclusion supremely 
fallacious. 



Resurrection of Christ. 107 

Take the first premise of his argument, that it 
is "contrary to human experience that a dead per- 
son should be raised to life." This expression 
"contrary to human experience" means either con- 
trary to our experience or else contrary to the expe- 
rience of all mankind. If it is meant that the rais- 
ing to life of a dead man, or looking upon a man 
who has been brought to life from the dead is con- 
trary to our experience, we may very readily ad- 
mit that this is true, and yet such an event may have 
really occurred. Many things have taken place in 
the history of the world which we may not have 
experienced. We never looked upon the person of 
an Alexander, a Caesar, or a Washington, and yet 
we believe and know that they lived and performed 
illustrious deeds among mankind. We never, it may 
be, saw the land of China, and yet we have no doubt 
of its existence. We never experienced the vol- 
canic eruptions of Vesuvius or Pelee, that destroyed 
the cities at the base of those mountains, yet we 
know these events occurred. So we may never have 
looked upon the glorious form of a risen Savior, or 
experienced His resurrection from the dead, yet 
that is no proof that the disciples did not have such 
an experience, nor does it detract from the cred- 
ibility of their testimony. Again, if the expression 
used by the infidel writer means that it is "contrary 
to all human experience" that a dead man should 
be brought to life, or be seen alive after he arose 
from the dead, then we reply that this is not argu- 
ment at all, it is bare assertion. The question at 



ioS The Life of Faith. 

issue is, Did the disciples of Christ have such an 
experience? They asserted that they had seen and 
conversed with Jesus after his death and resurrec- 
tion. The determination of the question, therefore, 
depends upon their credibility. Did they testify to 
the truth, or did they testify falsely ? 

Their credibility is fully established when we 
consider the fact that it is in accordance with all 
human experience that men placed in such circum- 
stances as were the disciples of Christ, always tes- 
tify to the truth and the truth only. Every earthly 
incentive was present with them either to refrain 
from testifying at all or to tell a different story. 
There was no promise of worldly gain for stating 
that they had seen the risen Savior. The story they 
told was unpopular, and its publication arrayed 
against them the multitudes around them. They 
were commanded by those in authority not to preach 
a risen Savior. They were threatened with the con- 
fiscation of their goods, with banishment from their 
homes, with many stripes, with imprisonment, and 
even with death, if they persisted in bearing such 
testimony. Had the story they told been a fiction, 
had it been untrue that they had seen Jesus alive 
after His death, in the face of such dangers they 
would have ceased testifying to it as a fact. But 
they conferred not with flesh and blood ; they obeyed 
not the commands of men in high places or the de- 
mands of mobs ; they faltered not in the face of per- 
secution, at the opening of prison doors, and even 
at the stake, to preach a risen Savior, to declare 



Resurrection o£ Christ. 109 

that they had seen Him alive after He had been put 
to death upon the cross. At all times and in all 
places they testified to the resurrection of Christ. 
Testimony given under such circumstances can not 
be doubted ; it must have been the truth. You take 
a case in one of the courts of the land. Let a man 
be charged with having committed murder, and be 
arraigned at the bar of the court. Let the multi- 
tude of spectators be in full sympathy with him, 
when the witnesses are called to give their testi- 
mony, let the court warn them against saying any- 
thing that would imply his guilt. Let the judge in- 
form them that if they testify that this man com- 
mitted murder they will be heavily fined, they will 
be despoiled of their property, they will be cast into 
prison, and if they persist in saying that he is guilty 
they will be put to death — that they must not at- 
tempt to involve this man in a criminal act. But if 
these witnesses, having heard all these warnings 
and beholding the officers of the law standing ready 
to do the bidding of the judge, if they still unitedly 
state that they saw the man strike the fatal blow and 
willfully and maliciously take the life of his fellow- 
man, their testimony would merit the confidence of 
all men. Who could doubt the words of witnesses 
bearing such testimony under such circumstances? 
What jury would fail to find the man guilty? In- 
fidel as well as Christian men would accept such 
testimony as conclusive of the man's guilt, and de- 
clare that he justly merited the full penalty of the 
law. It is contrary to all human experience that 



no This Life of Faith. 

men will testify falsely in the face of such surround- 
ings. The disciples of Christ met with bitter oppo- 
sition because they declared that Christ was risen 
from the dead ; cruel mobs attacked them. The offi- 
cers of the law made no effort to defend them, but 
bade them to cease preaching a risen Christ. They 
encountered fearful persecution. They were cast 
into prison. They were bound with fetters of iron 
to the stake. They were threatened with death in 
its most cruel form if they did not cease bearing this 
testimony. They could have gone free and escaped 
all these perils if they had ceased preaching a risen 
Christ. But in the midst of angry multitudes they 
testified that Jesus was risen. As they entered the 
creaking doors of dungeon cells they testified that 
Jesus was risen. From the grated windows of 
loathsome prisons they shouted that Jesus was risen. 
From the flames of the stake and while suffering 
death they still testified that Jesus was risen. They 
plainly declared that they had seen the Crucified 
One after He had arisen from the grave, and had 
heard Him speak comforting words. Such testi- 
mony must be true. It is marked with the fullest 
credibility. No historical fact rests on stronger 
evidence than does the resurrection of Christ. No 
witnesses bear more credible testimony than do the 
disciples of Jesus. Their faithfulness to the truth, 
their readiness to declare it, their willingness to 
suffer for its sake, make them noble examples of 
Christian courage and Christian fidelity. All true 
lovers of Christ should strive to imitate them in 
their steadfastness. 



Resurrection ox Christ. hi 

Some may come with the objection to the effect- 
iveness of the testimony of the disciples, and say 
that some men will die for opinion's sake when their 
opinions are wrong, and that such may have been 
the case with these disciples. But we reply that 
they did not suffer for the sake of an opinion, but 
for testifying to the knowledge of a fact. If the 
resurrection of Christ had been a fiction instead of 
a fact, they would readily have ceased to tell the 
story of the resurrection of Jesus, and thereby es- 
caped all danger. Men may now and then publish 
what they know to be untrue, but they will not un- 
dergo danger and suffering in testifying to it as a 
fact. 

4. The resurrection of Christ is proven to-day to 
be a fact by living witnesses. Jesus promised His 
disciples that he would send the Comforter. The 
Holy Spirit could only be sent by a living Christ. 
That promise has 'been verified. It is the blessed 
experience of men in all parts of the earth that the 
Holy Comforter has come and imparted to penitent 
hearts a knowledge of the forgiveness of sin; that 
He has come and given clear assurance of adoption 
into the family of God; that He has come and be- 
stowed pentecostal showers upon the followers of 
Jesus. Wherever a sinner is convicted for sin the 
Spirit is there sent by a risen Christ. Wherever a 
soul is made conscious of the removal of guilt and 
the establishment of peace in the heart, the Spirit 
is there sent by a risen Christ. Wherever a child 
of God is made perfect in faith and love, the Spirit 



ii2 The Life of Faith. 

is there sent by the living risen Christ. Witnesses 
to this foundation truth of the Christian religion 
may be found in every land. Christ formed within 
their hearts the hope of glory enables them with 
blessed assurance to say, "Now is Christ risen from 
the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that 
slept." The Comforter has been sent, and all may 
have certain knowledge that Christ is risen. The 
admissions of the enemies of Jesus, the large num- 
ber of witnesses to the resurrection of Christ, their 
well-established credibility, and the presence and 
saving influence of the Holy Spirit upon the hearts 
of men, form a logical conclusion that can not be 
successfully controverted. They fully establish the 
fact that Christ arose from the dead. 

III. The Gix>ry of Christ's Resurrection. 

The pages of the world's history contain no 
event more interesting and more wonderful than the 
resurrection of Christ. No other fact so thrillingly 
touches the human heart ; no other truth so power- 
fully influences human character and human des- 
tiny. Turning from the world's busy scene, go look 
upon the sepulcher on the third morning and wit- 
ness the glorious resurrection of the Savior of men. 
Multitudes gather around that tomb. The Roman 
soldiers guard the sepulcher where the body of 
Jesus rests. They have stood at their posts undis- 
turbed through the long hours of the dark night. 
Around them assemble the scribes and chief priests, 
at whose demand Jesus was crucified ; they pass by, 
wagging their heads and exulting in the work they 



Resurrection oe Christ. 113 

have done. There come also the hosts of evil flock- 
ing from the world of darkness, boasting that they 
have overcome the Son of God and locked in the 
grave the body of the Messiah, the hope of man's 
salvation. In the distance may be seen standing 
the good of all ages, looking with tearful eyes upon 
the place where the body of Jesus lies. Above them 
hover the angelic bands that lifted their glad voices 
in chorus and song when Jesus was born ; but now 
their lips are silent and their harps are unstrung. 
Heaven, earth, and hell gaze with intensest inter- 
est and silent wonder upon the scene. Just as the 
first rays of morning light fall upon the brow of 
Olivet the earth trembles beneath, an angel arrayed 
in white descends from heaven and lights upon the 
tomb. The stone is rolled away from the door of 
the sepulcher. The Roman sentinels fall as dead 
men to the ground. The scribes and chief priests 
hasten away in terror ; the damned spirits from the 
world of woe, clanking their chains in fear, flee 
back to their native hell, and Jesus, by an exercise of 
His own Divine power, bursts the bonds of death 
asunder, breaks down the bars of the tomb, and 
rises in triumph from the dead. See Him as He 
comes forth in victory, having bound captive to His 
chariot wheels Death, Hell, and the Grave. The 
voices of the angels fall like sweet perfume upon 
the morning air, shouting aloud, "Jesus is risen!'' 
Mary takes up the glad refrain right by the door of 
the empty sepulcher, and returns to the city, joy- 
fully singing, "Jesus is risen!" The wondering 
8 



ii4 The Life otf Faith. 

disciples brush away their tears of grief, and go 
forth boldly proclaiming that "Jesus is risen !" From 
hill to vale, from mountain-top to spreading plain, 
all over Palestina and Asia Minor, the tidings are 
swiftly borne, "Jesus is risen!" Throughout the 
Roman Empire, on every continent, and in every 
island of the sea, the proclamation is heard, "Jesus 
is risen !" And erelong the bright day will doubt- 
less dawn when every nation and people and tongue 
will join the triumphant shout, "But now is Christ 
risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of 
them that slept." 

When but a boy, in the shady grove where God's 
people had pitched their tents to engage in prayer 
and songs of praise, the joyful fact of a risen 
Savior was first experienced by my own young 
heart. Then first I felt its life-giving power. Along 
life's pathway, over its rugged mountains, through 
its sandy wastes, and across its streams of trouble, 
this truth has been my pillar of fire by night and 
pillar of cloud by day. As the sight of the eye 
grows dim, as the members of the body grow feeble 
before the infirmities of old age, a risen Savior im- 
parts good cheer to my heart, new strength to rny 
powers, new hopes to my soul. Through the re- 
maining days of this life and throughout the cycles 
of eternity my chief joy shall be to praise and 
adore a risen Savior. The resurrection of Christ! 
Glorious truth! The grandest theme that can em- 
ploy the mind and tongue of men on earth or fill 
the song of angels in heaven. May it ever be our 
chief delight to know and tell that Christ is risen ! 



VII. 

INDIVIDUAL DUTY. 

"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" — Acts 
ix, 6. 

In this earnest inquiry of Saul of Tarsus there 
is a clear recognition of God's will as the rule of 
human conduct. Incentives to action among men 
are various. Some men act merely from prejudice 
or early habit. As their fathers did, so do they, — 
engaging in the same business, living according to 
the same customs, and entertaining the same opin- 
ions. Some men are controlled chiefly by the de- 
sire of worldly gain. In their plans and efforts to 
get wealth and to enlarge their possessions, the 
question of right or wrong is not allowed to have 
any influence upon their minds. Some men are 
prompted to act by whatever promises personal 
pleasure. Their whole effort is to gain that which 
will gratify the lust of their eye and the appetites 
and passions of their bodies. Other men are led 
by the spirit of ambition. To gain positions of in- 
fluence, to obtain social or political power, to write 
their names high on the scroll of fame, they are 
ready to sacrifice every principle of right, and to 
ignore all the behests of true manhood. But Saul 

115 



n6 The Life of Faith. 

of Tarsus, arrested on his way to Damascus by the 
hand of that Jesus whose cause he was zealously 
persecuting, prostrated to the ground by the power 
of God, realizing his utter helplessness, "trembling 
and astonished/' "cries out, "Lord, what wilt Thou 
have me to do?" Hitherto he had chosen his own 
work; hitherto he had yielded to the impulses of 
his own evil nature and the dictates of his own 
will ; hitherto, as a proud Pharisee and an intolerant 
Jew, he had devoted all his energies to the persecu- 
tion of the disciples of Christ, and was now on his 
way to engage in the same cruel work at Damascus ; 
but he is suddenly startled by an unseen Power ; he 
is deeply convicted of sin by the wonderful display 
of the Divine presence; and he bows his will sub- 
missively to the will of God and seeks to know 
what work the Lord would have him do. 

The question of Saul of Tarsus had primary 
reference to what he should do in order to obtain 
God's pardoning favor. He was convinced of his 
error, he was convicted for sin, and now he anx- 
iously inquires what he must do to obtain pardon. 
This is the earnest cry of every soul when brought 
to realize his lost condition. Conscious of guilt and 
trembling under condemnation, that is the most 
earnest inquiry, "What shall I do to be saved?" 
But this question of Saul, doubtless, has reference 
to more than personal salvation. It extends beyond 
the work of pardon for sin and his own adoption 
into the family of God. It evidently embraces his 
future life-work. In the past his hand had been 



Individual Duty. 117 

lifted up against the cause of Christ. He had pur- 
sued faithfully the traditions of Judaism. He had 
been enthusiastic in enforcing the teachings of 
Pharisaism. He had put forth every effort to 
destroy the infant Church of Christ. But now, 
convinced by the strong hand that was laid upon 
him that God disapproved of the work he was do- 
ing, he earnestly seeks to know the Divine will in 
reference to his future work. "What wilt Thou 
have me to do?" What is the work that I should 
do in order to make the world better ? What is my 
mission in saving men and in extending a knowl- 
edge of the truth? It is to this thought, suggested 
by the text, that our attention is chiefly directed. 

The question is not what ought to be done by 
the Church in order that men may be saved and the 
world freed from the bonds of sin. It is not what 
the ministers of the Gospel should do, and how they 
should or should not preach. Many persons might 
imagine that they were fully competent to solve 
that question. Nor is the question what should our 
neighbors do. There are those who are ever ready 
and willing to mark out the lines of duty for others. 
But the question is simply, what wilt Thou have me 
to do; me, the individual? as though no other one 
were living. What is my mission? Where is my 
post of duty? What is my part of the grand work 
of saving the world? This is an important ques- 
tion. It should receive the most earnest thought 
of every human heart. 



n8 The Life of Faith. 

I. Every Individual Possesses a Power and Ex- 
erts an Influence eor Good or eor Evil. 
This fact is too often disregarded by men. We 
are too ready to depreciate the power wielded by a 
single person, to ignore the influence exerted by 
the individual. We accept as true the proverb that 
"In union there is strength/' We are tempted to 
conclude that without union there is no strength; 
that alone we can do nothing. We are inclined to 
wait in the performance of duty till many persons 
are ready to unite with us in the work. We ex- 
cuse ourselves from doing anything until the mul- 
titude around us are also engaged. But the im- 
portant lesson is presented that the single person 
should be at work, whether others help or not. For 
each one possesses a power which he continually 
wields either for good or evil. 

I. The truth of this proposition may be inferred 
from analogy. In the material world every atom of 
matter, whether great or small, exerts an influence 
upon every other atom. The wise tell us that the 
law of gravitation — of attraction and repulsion — is 
stamped upon all material things. By this unseen 
force the sun and all the planets exert an influence 
upon each other, and by it each one is guided in 
its orbit and controlled in its flight through space. 
If this earth, as a body of matter, sends out an in- 
fluence to every sun and star in the heavens, then 
every particle of matter of which the earth is com- 
posed exerts its proportionate influence upon every 
other heavenly body. Therefore every grain of 



Individual Duty. 119 

sand upon the seashore and every mote floating in 
the evening sunbeam has something to do in con- 
trolling the movements of all suns and all worlds. 
No particle ^f matter exists without some influence ; 
no atom but possesses a living, active force. If 
every atom of inanimate matter is endowed with 
such power, jean we imagine that man composed of 
the spiritual and material is created without any 
influence ? Shall we say that man, who possesses a 
soul that is immortal, a soul endowed with God- 
like reason, a soul that will live on when the stars 
cease to shine, a soul that shall sing the dirge at 
"nature's funeral pyre," — that man has no influence, 
and possesses no power? No, there goes out from 
every individual, in word or act or life, an influence 
upon others, increasing their weal or woe; an in- 
fluence that scatters beams of light or casts shadows 
of evil upon their pathways ; an influence that helps 
to mold their characters and to shape their des- 
tinies for time and eternity. The material world 
about us clearly emphasizes the fact that "no man 
liveth unto himself." 

2. This lesson is taught in the words of inspira- 
tion. Our Savior said to His disciples, "He that is 
not for us is against us ; and he that gathereth not 
with us scattereth abroad." He refers to the in- 
dividual ; that man, that woman, that single person 
who is not exerting his influence for us is exerting 
his influence against us. Again He says, "Let your 
light so shine before men that they, seeing your 
good works, may glorify your Father in heaven." 



i2o The Life of Faith. 

This was not designed merely as an address to the 
whole Church or body of disciples, but it is a direct 
command to each one of the disciples. It is as if 
Jesus had said, ''Peter, let your light sjiine ; James, 
let your light shine; John, let your light shine be- 
fore men," so that they may be led by your influence 
to glorify God. Again, the wise man a great while 
ago wrote, "One sinner destroyeth much good." 
Your observation and mine attests the correctness of 
that proverb. We see how much evil one sinner 
can accomplish, how much good one evil-doer can 
destroy. One turbulent person can keep in an up- 
roar a whole community. One tattler can kindle to 
a flame the passions of a whole neighborhood. One 
saloon-keeper can impoverish the families, ruin the 
sons, and break the hearts of the mothers of a whole 
village. But if one sinner can destroy much good, 
it is also true that one good man can destroy much 
evil. He also possesses a power for the accom- 
plishment of wonderful work. One active Chris- 
tian, one pious life full of holy endeavors, one good 
man, can accomplish great good. He can overturn 
strongholds of iniquity, and lead on to glorious vic- 
tory the forces of truth and right. Again, there 
comes all the way from the throne of God itself the 
assuring command, "Let him know that he that con- 
verteth a sinner from the error of his ways shall 
save a soul from death." God speaks in His Word 
to us as individuals. Every precept, every promise, 
every rich provision of grace, is for you or for me 
as an individual. Each one is addressed to us as 



Individual Duty. 121 

though there were none others to hear or be saved. 
It is to the individual, and of the individual, that the 
Bible speaks always and everywhere. It ever urges 
the wielding of the influence we possess for the 
good of our fellow men. 

3. This lesson is impressively taught by the facts 
of real life around us. You may speak of public 
opinion and the power it possesses. It truly has a 
force that like a flood-tide sweeps all before it. We 
know that public opinion is powerful. We know 
that it is a difficult matter to attempt to row against 
its current. Few men are found who are brave 
enough to oppose its decisions. Some have now 
and then been found, when public opinion was 
wrong, who dared to oppose it even at the risk of 
their lives. But for them then to uphold the right 
required the noblest of heroism. Public opinion is 
powerful, but what is public opinion? Is it not 
the aggregate of individual opinions? Is it not the 
sentiment of a majority of the individuals compos- 
ing a community? Some active, independent 
thinker has conceived and advanced the idea, and 
by industrious effort has molded like unto his own 
the sentiment of those around him, and has thus 
created that powerful force in society that we call 
public opinion. It is the creation of the individual. 

Again, the laws of fashion are imperious and 
revolutionary. We see this fact clearly indicated 
in the frequent and universal changes of style in 
wearing apparel. Take, for instance, the cut of a 
man's coat, or the shape of a woman's bonnet. How 



122 The Life of Faith. 

often the fashions change ! With each new season 
come new fashions, and all voluntarily accept 
them. Very few persons are found who wish to be 
out of fashion. All are eager to note the first indi- 
cations of a change and to follow the new modes. 
Even the most staid and sedate, those who preach 
to the younger people that it is wrong to follow the 
fashions, when they make purchase of new raiment 
for themselves, can not repress in their hearts the 
inquiry, if they do not express it with their lips, "Is 
this garment cut after the latest style?" The laws 
of fashion are constantly revolutionizing society, 
and their edicts dare not be ignored. Yet who 
makes these laws of fashion ? They are not enacted 
by the legislature or congress. No mass conven- 
tions meet and ordain what shall be the mode of 
dress for the coming season. No; but some self- 
crowned queen, or some self-appointed dictator, 
from a throne established in some great commercial 
center, issues the mandate, prescribes the cut of the 
coat or the shape of the bonnet for the coming 
season, and all the people bow with alacrity to the 
command. It is the individual wielding a scepter 
more potent than that of prince or President. 

The same fact is manifest in the home-circle. 
There the influence of the individual is most power- 
ful. Who has not made note of the molding force 
of parental example upon the lives and characters 
of the children ? In the pronunciation of words, in 
the tone of the voice, in the customs of life, in good 
or bad habits, how closely the children imitate their 



Individual Duty. 123 

parents ! What the father does, be he rich or poor, 
is noble and right in the eyes of the boy. A 
mother's words of sympathy or advice are engraved 
upon the tablets of a child's heart. Her influence 
is felt by the child all through life. Her voice may 
even be hushed in death, yet her children will never 
forget her example; they will always feel the re- 
straining and inspiring power of her love. How 
precious the thought: though mother is dead she 
yet speaketh ! Great responsibility rests upon every 
parent. How important that such undying influence 
be so exerted that the children may be led by it into 
the path of righteousness and truth ! 

There are some persons, you will find, who, 
while they admit that they are able to exert some 
influence over others, yet claim that their influence 
is so small that they can do but little, if any, good. 
They excuse themselves with this plea from mak- 
ing any effort. They believe they only have a few 
talents, and neglect to put them to use. Much 
power for good in the Church is buried under this 
excuse. But God wants every one to be at work 
in His vineyard. Each one can do something. Each 
one is needed. Take a homely illustration : You go 
to a grocer to buy provisions for your household. 
The grocer places the goods you desire to purchase 
in one scale. In the other he puts a ten-pound 
weight; but he finds that the ten-pound weight is 
not enough to balance the goods. He gets the five 
and one pound weights and places them in the scale 
also. Yet he has not enough to determine the 



1^4 The Life of Faith. 

weight of the goods. He now hunts up the half- 
ounce weight, and puts it in the scale with the ten, 
the five, and the one pound weights. The scales by 
the addition of the half-ounce weight are made to 
move, and the weight of your goods is determined. 
That half-ounce weight was really necessary in de- 
termining the exact weight. So in lifting this world 
up from sin and wickedness to purity and righteous- 
ness, in overcoming error and establishing truth 
among men, God not only wants the influence of 
men of ten talents, and five talents, and one talent ; 
but if any one lives who can only wield a half-ounce 
of influence for good, he wants that half-ounce 
weight put into the Gospel scales. 

There is an old tradition that a ship sailing upon 
the Western ocean was stranded on a reef near an 
island. All aboard the vessel worked hard for a 
length of time to get it off the reef, but failed. They 
then called to the men of the island to come with 
their cables and give them help. But the united 
effort of the ship's crew and men of the island 
failed to move the ship. Then the women of the 
island came also and took hold of the cables with 
the men, but the ship still hung upon the reef. At 
last the boys and girls of the island were also in- 
vited to help. The sailors of the vessel, the men and 
women of the island, and the boys and girls with 
them, took hold of the ropes, and as all pulled to- 
gether, gradually the ship loosened her hold upon 
the reef and was soon sailing on her way to her de- 
sired harbor. The world has run upon the reef of 



Individual Duty. 125 

sin. There is need that every man who loves the 
truth, that every woman whose hope is in Christ, 
and every boy and girl who has learned the story of 
the cross, that all lay hold upon the cable of Gospel 
truth, and, working- together, lift the world from 
the reef of sin and start it on the highway of holi- 
ness. There is no one without influence. God calls 
upon each one to work for the right. 

II. The: Work Which Each One May Do. 

A wide field for work for God is presented to 
those who would do His will. The vineyard is as 
extensive as is the human family, and many laborers 
are needed. Soon after the scales had fallen from 
the blinded eyes of Saul of Tarsus and his heart had 
found rest by believing in Christ, he entered zeal- 
ously upon his mission of preaching the Gospel to 
Jew and Gentile. It may not be the duty of each 
one, like Paul, to become an apostle, but no less im- 
portant work is to be done. 

1. Each one by earnest prayer may help in doing 
good and saving men. Some may not have a talent 
for preaching, or for singing, or for giving much, 
yet every one can pray, and in prayer voice the 
world's wants before God. And prayer is a power- 
ful agency for good. Prayer "moves the arm that 
moves the universe/' Prayer obtains help Divine in 
overcoming evil. Prayer secures the presence of 
God to aid in establishing in the hearts of men the 
kingdom of righteousness and truth. "The effectual 
fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much." 



126 The Life of Faith. 

2. Each one by words of kindness may lead 
others to the truth. Kind words do not cost any- 
thing. They are a blessing to those who utter them, 
and also to those who hear them. They gain the 
good will of those about us, and impress them with 
the excellency of the truth. They are an effective 
means of calming the turbulent passions of the 
human heart ; of leading young and old to reverence 
that which is right and to accept of the offers of 
salvation. The experience of every one attests the 
power of words of kindness. Very early in life I 
realized this fact. When a small boy, my father's 
home in the country was very often visited by the 
ministers of the Gospel who regularly held religious 
service there. Among the many who came for that 
purpose was a plain, unordained local preacher. 
This man won my boyish love and highest esteem. 
I prized his visits and his preaching more than all 
the rest. He was my beau-ideal of a preacher then, 
and he still holds a favorite place in my memory. It 
was not because his sermons were more logical or 
his preaching more eloquent than that of others. It 
was simply on account of the kind words with which 
he always greeted me and the tender regard he 
manifested at every visit. His kindness led me to 
esteem him highly, and to love the message which 
he brought with him. Kind words fall upon the 
heart like refreshing dew upon the opening flowers, 
and awaken it to new life and new love. 

3. Each one by kind deeds may lead men to 
Christ. There are those around us who scarcely 



Individual Duty. 127 

ever enter a sanctuary or listen to the voice of a 
preacher. A man may become so intense in his op- 
position to Gospel truth that his hatred would be 
aroused against any one who might speak to him 
about his soul's salvation. His heart may be barred 
against all approach of the messengers of the truth, 
his ears may be closed to all invitations of mercy; 
but a kind deed in time of trouble, a loaf of bread 
when he is hungry, a cup of water when he is 
thirsty, a helping hand when he is in greatest need, 
will unlock the door of his heart so that you may 
enter in, and with you take Jesus and His glorious 
salvation. The good works and alms-deeds of Dor- 
cas for the widows of Joppa, while she was alive, 
so inspired their hearts with love and Peter's soul 
with faith, that, in answer to their united prayers, 
she was raised to life from the dead. Kind deeds 
possess a life-giving power. 

4. Each one may aid in extending a knowledge 
of the truth. There is need of more extended pub- 
lication of the Gospel provisions. Many people are 
yet to be found in the darkness of sin. Tribes and 
nations are yet without a knowledge of the true 
God; even in Christian lands, and under the sound 
of Church-going bells you may find whole families 
who know and care but little about the way of salva- 
tion. There is need that some one tell them of Jesus 
and His love. Although not ordained as a minister 
of the Gospel, although you may not be called to 
preach from the pulpit, you may help in making 
known the truth. You may preach by the wayside. 



128 The Life of Faith. 

You may spread the light of saving grace in the 
regions of darkness and sin. You may tell the good 
news of salvation wherever the lost is found. Thus 
you may become an efficient agency in building up 
the kingdom of God and in bringing men to a 
knowledge of saving mercy. 

It is said that a lighthouse was erected on a 
rocky island a little way from the mainland. A man 
was stationed in it to attend to lighting its lamp 
whenever the shades of night fell upon the waters 
around. Dangerous breakers rolled on every side. 
Ships sailing that way in the darkness were in dan- 
ger of being wrecked. One afternoon the keeper of 
the lighthouse was called to the shore on business, 
and failed to return before night came on. He had 
left his little boy in the lighthouse. That boy saw 
the darkness approaching, and knew that the lamp 
should be lit. But what could he do ? Although a 
small boy he resolved to make the attempt to light 
the lamp as his father always did. He ascended to 
the chamber where the lamp was hanging, but his 
arms were too short to reach the lamp. Still he 
would not give up the effort. He drew from the 
corner of the room a table, then got upon the table, 
and yet he was unable to reach the lamp. He then 
hunted up an old stool and placed it upon the table. 
Then, standing on the stool on top of the table, he 
reached up and lit the lamp. Just as its bright light 
shone out over the waters,, a ship was seen nearing 
the breakers. The pilot took warning from the 
lamp lit in the lighthouse, turned the course of the 



Individual Duty. 129 

vessel, and all aboard were saved from a fearful 
shipwreck. Many immortal souls around us are 
exposed to eternal danger from the breakers of sin. 
Kindle the light in the Gospel lighthouse. Let its 
bright beams shine out over the breakers around, 
that they may take warning of danger near and be 
saved from death. 

A prosperous and able lawyer, who for years 
had paid no attention to a religious life, indeed had 
become quite a skeptic, was converted to Chris- 
tianity and became a useful member of the Church. 
The preacher in whose pastorate the man was 
brought to Christ had just closed a series of lec- 
tures against skepticism and in favor of the Chris- 
tian religion. He was greatly delighted to see the 
marked change in the lawyer's faith and life. In an 
ecstasy of joy he went to the converted man, and, 
after warmly congratulating him on the change, re- 
quested him to tell him what was the chief means 
of his conviction and conversion. Which one of the 
lectures that had been delivered had convinced him 
of his error, and what argument in that lecture was 
the cause of the blessed result? The converted 
man, with a smile upon his countenance, made his 
reply. "It was not," he said, "your excellent lec- 
tures that led me to give up my unbelief. It was 
not any argument in those lectures that produced 
my conviction. I had an argument for each one 
of your arguments. I arrayed my logic against 
your logic, and thought I was secure in my con- 
clusions." "Tell me, then," said the disappointed 

9 



130 The Life of Faith. 

preacher, "the cause of your change." The con- 
verted man answered : "One day, as I descended the 
steps of the church after the close of your lecture, 
1 ight by my side, old auntie, an old colored woman, 
was going down the steps, and by a misstep seemed 
ready to fall. I helped her a little, and saved her 
from falling. When she reached the last step, with 
a grateful smile upon her wrinkled face and kindly 
tears in her eyes, she looked up to me and said, 
'Thank you, massa ; do you love Jesus, my blessed 
Massa ?' The question was spoken in a tender voice. 
It took me by surprise, and strangely troubled my 
mind. I turned away from her, and tried to look 
upon the words as those only of a half-witted old 
colored woman. But the question followed me. At 
every step I took as I walked up the street some 
strange power seemed to enforce the inquiry, 'Do 
you love Jesus, the blessed Master ?' I was so much 
troubled that at last I concluded I would go to 
my office and remain there until the strange im- 
pression was gone and the words had been forgot- 
ten. But as I opened the door and entered my office 
the question with still more thrilling effect fell upon 
my heart : 'Do you love Jesus, the blessed Master ?' 
Right there and then my unbelief gave way, and, 
falling upon my knees, I bowed my will to the Di- 
vine will, and now I can joyfully say, 'Yes, I love 
Jesus, my blessed Savior/ " The feeblest of God's 
servants possess an influence, and it can be success- 
fully used in the salvation of men. 



Individual Duty. 131 

III. The Incentives to do God's Will are; 

Strong and Without Number. 

The agencies of evil are busy always. They 
rest not, day nor night, in wrong-doing. By their 
influence men are led astray, unholy passions are 
aroused, ruinous habits are formed, and multitudes 
are led onward to the brink of ruin. Old and young 
are ensnared by sin, and are held captive in the 
meshes of evil. How much more active, how much 
more zealous should the children of God be ! Eter- 
nal interests are at stake; eternal destinies are in- 
volved. Every lover of the truth should be earnestly 
at work that the agencies of evil might be destroyed 
and the world saved. 

The man who does God's will has promise of a 
rich reward. He who spends his life in performing 
good deeds gains the applause of his fellow-men. 
When he dies his works do follow him. His name 
is enshrined in grateful memories, and the world 
makes fragrant with flowers the spot where his 
body rests. His good deeds will form for him a 
monument more lasting than marble, one that will 
not decay before the passing ages. His work for 
the truth will send out a wave of influence for the 
right to coming generations, and all people will pro- 
nounce blessings upon him. 

But a more glorious reward awaits those who 
work for God. "Henceforth," says the apostle, 
"there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me 
at that day ; and to all that love his appearing." We 



132 The Life oe Faith. 

may with glad hearts view by faith that coronation- 
day. How impressive the surroundings, how glo- 
rious the scene! Joy kindles in the eyes of all of 
God's saints. The redeemed draw near with rejoic- 
ings, each one to obtain his eternal reward. From 
the ranks of the blood- washed throng I see one ad- 
vancing to receive his portion. He is clothed in a 
white robe and a glittering crown awaits his com- 
ing. "Who is this/' I inquire, "that is worthy of 
such a reward ?" The answer is given : "This was a 
faithful preacher of the Gospel of Christ, an active 
leader of the hosts of the Lord, a successful in- 
strumentality in the conversion of souls." I hear 
the loving voice of the Judge as He places the crown 
upon his brow, saying, "Well done, good and faith- 
ful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 
Then another approaches, arrayed in white, to re- 
ceive his reward. I ask: "Who is this? Another 
successful minister of the Gospel, another eloquent 
preacher of the truth?" The answer comes back: 
"No ; this was a lay member in the Church of God. 
He was a faithful steward of worldly goods. He 
possessed a talent for accumulating wealth, and al- 
ways had an open hand for bestowing charity. He 
helped to build houses of worship ; he aided in sup- 
port of God's messengers; he fed the poor; he 
clothed the naked; he was a friend to the needy; 
his life was consecrated to deeds of benevolence." 
A crown is placed on his head and the Judge pro- 
nounces the words, "Well done, good and faithful 
servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." But 



Individual Duty. 133 

there comes another, :clothed in just as white rai- 
ment, and to receive just as bright a crown. I ask, 
"Who is this that is to obtain so rich a reward ; an- 
other Gospel preacher, or another benevolent man 
of wealth ?" "No !" the reply is made. "This one 
was a poor widow, whose humble home stood on 
one of the back alleys of civilization. She trained 
her fatherless children to love God ; she spoke words 
of comfort to the sorrowing; she made known to 
the poor the riches of redeeming mercy; she did 
what she could to make the world better." I see 
the Judge place upon her brow a glittering crown, 
and hear Him say to her also, "Well done good 
and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thv 
Lord." 

For each one who does the will of God there is 
a crown, and a white robe, and palms of victory. 
There is a crown for you and a crown for me in that 
great day, if we prove faithful in this life. To each 
one will be extended the joyful greeting, "Well done 
good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful 
over a few things ; I will make thee ruler over many 
things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 



VIII. 

BALM IN GILEAD. 

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician 
there? why then is not the health of the daugh- 
ter of my people recovered?" — Jer. viii, 22. 

The: land of Gilead formed the northeastern 
portion of the country possessed by the tribes of 
Israel. Its mountains were anciently noted for the 
production of spices and myrrh and balm. This 
balm was highly prized as a healing remedy, not 
only by the inhabitants of the country, but also by 
surrounding tribes and nations. It was sold by 
merchantmen even in the markets of Egypt. Its 
curative power was so well known that it became 
a very popular medicine. When any one was found 
suffering with the ailments to which it was applied, 
it was naturally asked, "Why is he allowed to suf- 
fer when this balm will restore him to health?" It 
became a proverbial exclamation when such sick- 
ness occurred, "Is there no balm in Gilead ; is there 
no physician there? why then is not the sick re- 
stored to health?" The prophet uses the same 
proverb in regard to the national troubles which 
threatened his people. The children of Israel had 
become forgetful of the God of their fathers, and 
had violated his commands. Their sins had been 

i34 



Balm in Gilead. 135 

numerous, and God's judgments were about to fall 
upon them. The Assyrian army had invaded their 
land. The snorting of the war horse was heard 
from Dan. The whole country trembled at the 
tramp of the hosts of the enemy. Cities and vil- 
lages were being laid waste, and utter overthrow 
threatened the tribes of Israel. The prophet in- 
quires, "Why this national distress? why this fear- 
ful disease that has stricken the body politic ?" And 
in the form of a question he asserts that "There is 
balm in Gilead; there is a physician there/' and 
asks, "Why then is not the health of the daughter 
of my people recovered?" The prophet forcibly 
tells the people the reason why this trouble had 
come upon them. They had forgotten God; they 
had become worshipers of idols; they had com- 
mittted abominations, and refused to turn away 
from their sins. There is a God in Israel, but the 
people have denied Him; there is balm in Gilead 
and a physician there, but the people have neg- 
lected them; and now fearful destruction was their 
just punishment. 

The land of Israel and the condition of the Jew- 
ish people at the time of the prophet are typical of 
the world to-day. The darkness of heathenism pre- 
vails in many portions of the earth. Superstition 
controls many tribes and peoples. The shrines of 
Mohammed have many devotees. Buddhism and 
Brahmanism count their adherents by the thousands. 
Even in countries professedly Christian, intemper- 
ance and infidelity abound. Violations of law, both 



136 The Life of Faith. 

human and Divine, are frequent, wickedness runs 
riot both in high places and low ; thefts, strife, and 
murders are of daily occurrence. The paths of sin 
are thronged by those who live without thought of 
God or fear of His displeasure. Even now the 
prophetic eye may already see dark clouds of Divine 
wrath gathering along the horizon; the prophetic 
ear may hear the muttering thunder of God's judg- 
ments that overshadow evil doers, and the heart of 
all may well tremble with fear for the fate of 
those who recklessly live in sin. Why is the world 
in such a sad condition ? The Gospel of Christ has 
been preached for nearly twenty centuries ; why is 
not the world saved ? Is Christianity a failure ? Is 
the religion of Christ unequal to the task of over- 
coming sin and of lifting up fallen man? "Is there 
no balm in Gilead ; is there no physician there ? why 
then is not the health of the daughter of my people 
recovered -?" 

This is a question which should interest every 
Christian heart. Its solution should awaken earnest 
thought and the closest investigation. 

I. The Text, in the Form of an Inquiry, As- 
serts a Glorious Fact. There is in the Gos- 
pel of Christ a Sufficiency of Provision, 
Purpose, and Power for the Salvation of 
the Whole World. There is balm in Gilead; 
there is a physician there; and these are fully 
equal to the wants of man. 
The work of saving the world is one of vast 

magnitude. To overcome the strongholds of in- 



Balm in Gilead. 137 

iquity ; to shed light upon the dark regions of heath- 
enism; to reclaim the sons of men from supersti- 
tion and error; to abolish all corruption and crime 
from among men; to establish in the human heart 
peace and joy and hope ; to make all men new crea- 
tures, requires more than human wisdom and 
human power. The leprosy of sin prevails every- 
where, is infectious in its nature and deadly in its 
tendencies; yet in the provisions of the Gospel of 
Christ, in its purpose and its power, we find an an- 
tidote sufficient to impart spiritual health to the 
whole world. 

1. In Christianity is found an all-wise Physi- 
cian — one who knows the nature of man's malady, 
and who can prescribe a remedy for his healing. 

A physician, to be successful in the practice of 
his profession, must be able to determine, from the 
symptoms of his patient, the disease with which he 
is suffering. Without this knowledge he will be 
unable to prescribe a remedy that would insure a 
cure. Different diseases require different treat- 
ments. A medicine that would relieve one com- 
plaint might only aggravate another. The wise 
physician first determines what the disease is ; then 
he is prepared to prescribe the remedy. A doctor 
was once asked what course he pursued if, when 
called to attend a patient, he found it difficult to 
determine the disease with which the sick one was 
suffering. He replied that he examined with great 
care all the symptoms ; he felt the pulse ; he noted 
the temperature ; he looked at the tongue ; he made 



138 The Life oe Faith. 

inquiries as to the pains; he studied closely every 
phase of the disease; and if he did not then reach 
a satisfactory conclusion, he would give the patient 
some simple, innocent dose; then he hastened to 
consult his best authorities, and, comparing the 
symptoms of the patient with those described in his 
books, he made his prescription and administered 
to the sick. Even then he was not always sure of 
being right. But in the Gospel we have a Physician 
who has no need to appeal to text-books to deter- 
mine what man needs. He is Divine. He knows 
the true condition and the wants of the patient. He 
comprehends the whole case. He notes the ab- 
normal state of man's moral pulse. He sees how 
man's spiritual nerves have been affected by sin. 
He marks the gangrene of evil that is spreading in 
man's heart. He witnesses the tendency in man's 
soul to mortification. He knows how sin has para- 
lyzed man's whole moral being, and the fatal nature 
of the disease with which man is afflicted. His diag- 
nosis of man's fallen condition is perfect. He pos- 
sesses Divine knowledge. Jesus, the Christ, the 
Son of God, is our Great Physician, and knows how 
to treat one suffering with the disease of sin. 

2. In Christianity is provided a remedy that 
possesses power sufficient to effect a cure. 

A physician may be able to determine the nature 
of the disease with which the patient is suffering, 
but in order to restore him to health he must pre- 
scribe an efficient remedy. The medicine given 
must possess virtue enough, not only to arrest the 



Balm in Gilead. 139 

disease and remove its cause, but also to assist the 
functions of the body to perform again their normal 
work. Some diseases of the physical man can be 
arrested or entirely removed, while for others no an- 
tidote has been discovered by science. But for all 
of man's moral maladies there is provided the means 
of certain cure; there is "balm in Gilead." The 
Gospel presents a remedy that possesses Divine 
merit and Divine power. The Apostle Peter refers 
to this when he says, "Ye were not redeemed with 
corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the 
precious blood of Christ." Another apostle, in the 
letter to the Hebrews, refers to the same thing. 
"How much more," says he, "shall the blood of 
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Him- 
self without spot to God, purge your conscience 
from dead works to serve the living God!" The 
blood of Christ was shed for the healing of the na- 
tions. This is the specific, the effective remedy for 
man sick of sin. There was necessary for man's 
salvation, not only the shedding of blood, but that 
the blood should possess healing virtue. The blood 
of the lamb offered as a sacrifice, outside of its 
typical nature, was without restoring power. The 
blood of a holy man would have been insufficient. 
A remedy was necessary that would exercise heal- 
ing virtue upon man in all ages and in all parts of 
the earth ; a remedy that, in its influence, could reach 
from ocean to ocean, from one generation to an- 
other; a remedy that would effect a cure from the 
gates of Eden to the end of time. Such a pro- 



140 The Life of Faith. 

vision is found in the Gospel, in the shed blood of 
Christ. It possesses Divine merit and Divine power. 
It is not claimed that, in the sufferings and death 
of Jesus upon the cross, the Divinity suffered or that 
God died. The Divine can neither suffer nor die. 
But in Jesus Christ, when offering Himself for sin, 
the Divinity was so intimately associated with the 
humanity that the blood shed upon the cross re- 
ceived from the presence and approval of the Di- 
vinity both Divine merit and Divine virtue. It was 
endowed with Divine merit as a propitiation for 
man, and Divine power for the healing of all dis- 
eases caused by sin. The virtue of that blood ex- 
tended back from the cross to dying Abel and the 
believing patriarchs, and from Calvary the stream 
of healing waters flows on through passing gen- 
erations to the last son and daughter of man. The 
virtue of that precious blood to-day is all-powerful 
and ever-present at the door of every penitent's 
heart. It is able to remove the disease of sin and 
restore to spiritual health. There is balm in Gilead. 
A glorious remedy is provided, one that possesses 
the Divine attributes of the dying Son of God. 
There is no phase of moral disease that it can not 
remove. It can cleanse the leprous and make the 
paralytic well; it can give sight to the spiritually 
blind, and life to the spiritually dead ; it can cleanse 
from all the contagions of evil, and make man every 
whit whole. It is God's panacea for all the ills 
occasioned by sin, and gives assurance of life and 
hope to every suffering, dying patient. 



Balm in GiIvEad. 141 

3. In Christianity the Holy Spirit is revealed as 
ever present and ready to apply this remedy. 

In the sick-chamber there is necessary an at- 
tendant upon the suffering- patient. A wise physi- 
cian may correctly determine the nature of the dis- 
ease and prescribe an effective remedy. But a kind 
and attentive nurse is needed by day and by night 
at the bedside, to administer the medicine and watch 
over the sick one. The best physician and the best 
prescription fail to restore health if the remedy is 
not properly given. Many sick persons die for the 
want of a good nurse. In the Gospel is provided an 
Attendant who is ever present to care for the sick 
and administer the healing balm. When Jesus was 
about to leave His disciples He said to them: "I 
will not leave you comfortless. The Comforter, 
which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send 
in My name, He shall teach all things and bring all 
things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said 
unto you." He is to be an abiding Comforter. He 
comes to man sick of sin, and applies the remedy 
that insures the blessing of spiritual health. Though 
man be far from home; though no earthly friend 
be near to speak a word of comfort or assuage a 
single pain ; though he may pillow his head upon a 
stone in the wilderness, or tread the desert waste, — 
at home or abroad, the Holy Spirit is there to apply 
the healing balm to his sin-sick heart, to gently 
place beneath his head the pillow of God's loving 
grace, to inspire his soul with words of promise, 
and to apply the blood of cleansing to his spiritual 



142 The Life of Faith. 

being. This Holy Comforter was with the bruised 
and wounded disciples of Christ as they lay in 
prison cells. He gave strength and courage to the 
martyrs as they burned at the stake. He goes with 
the messengers of the truth through all their tribu- 
lations. He hears the cry of every penitent sor- 
rowing on account of sin, and cleanses every soul 
panting for holiness. He journeys with every Chris- 
tian pilgrim along life's pathway, and by His pres- 
ence enables him to triumph in the hour of death. 
He comes with the Great Physician's prescription 
for the healing of sin's diseases, and applies the 
precious balm that gives health and life and joy to 
man. 

4. This Great Physician has always been suc- 
cessful. In the practice of his profession success is 
always a recommendation for a physician. If fail- 
ure has marked his past work, few would look to 
him for help. Success in any calling is an evidence 
of skill and ability for that especial work. If you 
have sickness in your home that requires medical 
aid, you are apt to employ a physician who has suc- 
cessfully treated patients similarly afflicted. His 
success is an assurance to your mind of his medical 
knowledge and medical skill, and you very readily 
intrust the treatment of your sick friend to his care. 
The Great Physician presented in the Gospel has 
always been successful in healing the spiritually 
diseased committed to His hand. He has never 
lost a case ; He has never failed to restore to spirit- 
ual health a single patient who has sought His aid. 



Balm in Gii,ead. 143 

In all ages of the world, in all countries, and in all 
climates, complete success has attested His wisdom 
and His skill. Saul of Tarsus, the proud Pharisee, 
when prostrated by guilt, when blinded by sin, ac- 
cepted of Jesus as his Savior, and as he bowed his 
heart to the will of Christ the scales fell from his 
eyes, guilt no longer oppressed his soul, and he was 
made spiritually well. The bold and passionate 
Peter was relieved of his natural besetments and 
made a humble and earnest apostle of Christ. By 
the wonderful curative power of this Physician the 
superstitious heathen, the devotees at the shrines of 
idols, the cruel mountaineer, and the barbarous 
tribes of the islands of the sea have been changed 
into peaceful worshipers of the true God, old men 
have been cured of lifelong maladies, strong men 
have been made submissive to the influence of love, 
youth has been rescued from the bonds of evil 
habits, and laughing childhood has been saved from 
the infectious diseases of sin. The healing power 
of the Man of Nazareth has never failed. 

5. The services of this Physician can be secured 
by all. Many who suffer from bodily infirmities are 
unable to employ a physician or obtain the necessary 
medicine. The cost of such service is beyond their 
ability to pay. The fee required can not be met on 
account of poverty, and they must suffer on without 
hope of relief. But in the provisions of the Gospel 
it is made possible for every one to obtain the help 
needed. It is true a fee must be paid to secure 
the presence of the Great Physician and the healing 



144 The Life of Faith. 

balm. The requirement is positive, the price de- 
manded must be paid, but the conditions are such 
that every one may perform them. Mercy and 
wisdom mark this Gospel provision. Had a certain 
amount of knowledge been required, had an exam- 
ination in science or philosophy or literature been 
necessary, how many would have failed to reach the 
standard demanded ! Had the fee for securing the 
Great Physician been so much gold or silver, or so 
many acres of land or pounds of produce, many 
would have been found wanting. Had the fee been 
the possession of beauty of form, or the brightness 
of the eye, or the agility of the limbs, then the crip- 
ple, the blind, and the ugly would have had no hope. 
Had the condition been the color of the skin, the 
height of the stature, the age of the patient or his 
place of nativity, how many must have died with- 
out help ! The fee for the attendance of the physi- 
cian must be met. He visits no sick-chamber, ad- 
ministers the healing balm to no suffering patient, 
until the price has been paid. But every one is able 
to pay the fee. It is appointed by Jesus Himself; 
not so much money, not social position, not genius, 
not beauty of form, not earthly knowledge, — it is 
simply, "Give me thy heart." No greater price 
could be required ; no fee easier to be paid could be 
demanded. The poorest of the sons of men lying 
upon a bed of straw can give his heart to Jesus; 
the richest prince upon the throne can do no more. 
Whoever pays the fee is immediately made whole. 
There is balm in Gilead ; there is a Physician there, 



Balm in Gilead. 145 

and the health of the world may be restored ; for the 
provisions, the purpose, and the power of the Gos- 
pel are sufficient for the healing of the nations. 

II. The Question Considered : "Why then is not 
the health of the daughter of my people recov- 
ered ?" 

If Christianity is not a failure; if it affords a 
Physician of perfect knowledge and skill ; if it pro- 
vides a remedy that never fails to cure, why then 
are not all mankind saved from the disease of sin? 
This question should engage the most earnest 
thought of every Christian, and its solution should 
lead him to exercise stronger faith and to make a 
fuller consecration of himself to the service of God. 
1. The unfaithfulness to simple Gospel truth on 
the part of the professed followers of Christ has 
been one of the chief hindrances to the complete 
triumphs of Christianity. The prescription as given 
by the Great Physician has been altered to suit the 
notions of men; the remedy has been adulterated 
with human error, so that its power and efficiency 
have been very much diminished. When the variety 
of forms in which the prescription has been pre- 
sented are considered, there can be little wonder 
that the world is not saved. 

In one form it claims to embrace the teachings 
and truths of the Bible, but adds as equally essen- 
tial the traditions of men, the infallibility of the 
priesthood, the adoration of the saints, the worship 
of the Virgin, the deifying of the crucifix, and many 
10 



146 The: Li^e otf Faith. 

other superstitions. This is offered as a healing 
balm to man guilty before God and sick of sin. By 
it more importance is attached to grand ceremonies 
than to simple Gorpel truth; more dependence for 
spiritual health is placed upon confession of sin to 
man than to God ; more concern is manifested to be 
sprinkled with "holy water" than to receive the wit- 
ness of the Holy Spirit ; more eagerly is sought the 
smiles of the Virgin than the approval of God. This 
prescription, with all of its ceremonies, its robes and 
rituals, its traditions and human ordinances, is of- 
fered as a healing balm for the world's maladies. 
There is no wonder that complete spiritual health 
has not been obtained. 

In another modified form the prescription in- 
cludes only the love of God. His justice is ignored ; 
His threatened punishment for sin is denied; His 
requirement of faith as the 'condition of salvation 
and obedience to Divine law as a means of gaining 
heaven are discarded, and only the love of God is 
retained. But this sugar-coated pill has failed to 
make the world well. 

Again, the prescription is changed so as to pre- 
sent the truths of the Gospel diluted with an abun- 
dance of water. Stress is laid more upon the out- 
ward ceremony than the inward grace, more upon 
the deeds of the body than upon the change of the 
heart, and man by it fails to gain spiritual health. 

Many other compounds of Bible truth and 
human theories have been proposed as certain cures ; 
but instead of saving the world, they have proven 



Bai<m in Gii,ead. 147 

hindrances to the progress of the Gospel's healing 
power. Forgetting the plain and simple teachings 
of Christ, His professed followers have engaged in 
bitter controversies with each other over unimpor- 
tant dogmas. Religious wars have been waged over 
mere forms and ceremonies. Questions in reference 
to petty rules of ecclesiastical organizations have 
created feuds and factions. In departing from the 
teachings of the Gospel and the Spirit of Christ, 
those professing His name have delayed the com- 
ing of His kingdom. Had there always been stead- 
fastness to the truths of the Gospel and to the com- 
mands of Jesus, the world would now have been in a 
much more healthy and happy condition. 

2. A want of faithfulness to duty by professed 
Christians has retarded the work of saving the 
world. The remedy as prescribed by the Great 
Physician is to be continually used. To realize spir- 
itual health and spiritual growth there is need of 
constant supplies of grace. Too many, after having 
experienced the Gospel's health-giving power, cease 
to observe its requirements, and again relapse into 
the chill and fever of sin. Their failure creates 
doubts in the minds of others and prevents them 
from partaking of the Gospel remedy. The true 
followers of Christ gain spiritual health and moral 
vigor from the daily practice of prayer and praise, 
from faithful attendance upon the services and or- 
dinances of the Church of God, and from a life de- 
voted to good works. 

3. The failure of Christians to make known 



148 The Lifk of Faith. 

more widely the Gospel remedy is cause of many 
living and dying" unsaved. The world advertises 
widely the medicines it offers for the healing of 
bodily ailments. Its nostrums are everywhere, and 
in every possible way made known. Every issue of 
the press contains columns and even whole pages of 
advertisements commending them for their healing 
virtue. Their curative power is published in large 
placards posted up at every street corner, by every 
home, and along every roadside. The granite 
bowlder and the sturdy tree are made to speak forth 
their excellencies. It is said that a man climbing 
one of our Eastern mountains, when he got near 
the top, said to his comrade, "We will soon reach a 
point where patent-medicine posters will not 
grow." But as he stepped upon the summit, what 
should greet his eye but the name of one of these 
popular nostrums printed in large letters upon a 
huge rock? The Gospel remedy needs to be pub- 
lished more extensively. "Go ye into all the world 
and preach My Gospel to every creature," is the 
command of the risen Savior. Advertise its healing 
power in every issue of the press; post it up on 
every roadside ; make it known in every valley and 
on every mountain; tell the story of the cross in 
every land; proclaim the glad news to every tribe, 
and people, and tongue. Let the whole world be- 
come familiar with the name of Jesus and His sav- 
ing power. 

5. But the chief obstacle in the way of the Gos- 
pel's cleansing and healing power is the natural 



Balm in Gilead. 149 

wickedness of the human heart. The unsaved con- 
dition of the world can not be wholly charged to 
the unfaithfulness of God's people. Man is not only 
sick because of sin, but he takes pleasure in his 
moral ailments. He is naturally averse to being 
healed. Sin has made him unhappy, but he 
strangely imagines that indulgence in that which is 
the cause of his unhappiness will bring him joy; 
that what has occasioned the moral disease of his 
heart will eradicate that disease. His love of sin, 
his hatred of God, his unbelief, his spiritual blind- 
ness, prevent his applying to the Great Physician 
for balm for his sin-sick soul. Like fetters of iron 
his sins hold him fast in the road that leads to death. 
Fallen human nature everywhere opposes the use of 
the only remedy there is provided for the world's 
maladies ; unbelief, with its great host, wages war- 
fare against the kingdom of Christ ; and its deluded 
victims are falling on every battlefield. Yet, not- 
withstanding the unfaithfulness of the professed fol- 
lowers of Christ to the simple teachings of the Gos- 
pel and their lack of holy living; notwithstanding 
their failure to make known to every creature the 
remedy provided for sin ; notwithstanding the oppo- 
sition of fallen human nature to the glorious pro- 
visions of the Gospel of Christ, the name of 
Jesus, the loving Savior, is being made known more 
fully in all parts of the earth. The healing balm is 
effecting cures in all lands; the Great Physician is 
making visits and healing the sick in all climes. 
The spiritual health of mankind is improving. The 



150 The Li£s otf Faith. 

world is coming nearer to God. The tramp of His 
marshaled hosts is heard on all the highways of 
earth ; and erelong the brighter day will dawn when 
the sickness and sorrows of sin will disappear, and 
moral health will bless all people; when the glad 
tidings will echo around the world, "There is balm 
in Gilead ; there is a Physician there ; and the health 
of the daughter of my people is recovered." 

" Then shall the reign of grace commence on earth, 
And, starting fresh as from his second birth, 
Man, in the sunshine of the world's new Spring, 
Shall walk transparent like some holy thing." 



IX. 

PRAYER. 

"Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be 
full" — John xvi, 24. 

These: words of Jesus were uttered a short while 
before His crucifixion. They are a part of His last 
conversation with His disciples, and in that conver- 
sation He gives to them many precious promises. 
As He drew near the hour of suffering and death, 
His love for them grew warmer. His words more 
tender, His sympathies deeper, His promises richer. 
The disciples were made sad when He told them 
that He was soon to be separated from them. With 
them the question would naturally arise, What could 
they do if their great Teacher and loving Leader 
should be taken away? For three years they had 
followed His footsteps, they had listened to His 
words, they had witnessed His wonderful works. 
Now He was to go before them no longer. In this 
last discourse He makes known to them grander 
truths, and gives them richer promises, as if to lift 
the shadow of sadness from their hearts, and to im- 
part greater courage to go forward in the work to 
which He had called them. He tells them that He 
is going away, but that He goes to prepare man- 
151 



i52 The Life of Faith. 

sions for them. He would no longer go before them 
as their Teacher, but they would have His Word 
from which they could always gain lessons of Divine 
truth. He would no longer be present with them 
to guide them and give them comfort, but He would 
send the Comforter, who would abide with them 
forever. And whenever they should need help or 
advice or wisdom, they could go to the Father in 
His name ; and says He to each one of them, "Ask, 
and you shall receive, that your joy may be full." 

These words were spoken to the disciples, not 
only for their encouragement, but were uttered 
for the benefit of His followers in all ages and in 
all climes. They come with equal assurance to our 
hearts. After nearly twenty centuries have come 
and gone, we may hear the same tender voice speak- 
ing to us, and saying, "Ask, and you shall receive, 
that your joy may be full." Jesus in these words 
makes prominent and important the exercise of 
prayer to God; He prescribes the acceptable man- 
ner ; and He refers to the great benefits realized by 
all who engage in this service. 

I. Prayer is a Christian Duty. "Ask the Father 
in My name ; ask, and you shall receive." 
i. Prayer is appropriate for man. The elements 
of which prayer is constituted clearly show this ap- 
propriateness. The act of prayer is in full accord 
with man's relations to God. 

It is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, 
and that He is the giver of all our benefits. No 



Prayer. 153 

fact is more clearly revealed than that God is our 
ruler, that He reigns both in heaven and in earth. 
The works of nature, as well as His Word, demon- 
strate His existence, give proof of His omnipres- 
ence, and attest His controlling power. He is re- 
vealed to us as the Author of all our mercies, that 
life and all the blessings of life are received from 
His bountiful hands; that "in Him we live, and 
move, and have our being." Man, as His subject, 
should therefore come to God with all his wants, 
and acknowledge Him in all his ways. 

Prayer implies thanksgiving and praise for 
mercies received. Who is there among all the sons 
of men that has not received blessings from God ? 
Every day His well-providing hand has strewn 
bounties along our paths. Every warm sunbeam, 
every refreshing shower, every supply of food and 
raiment, every breath we draw and every beating 
pulse we tell, is God's gift to man, and is evidence 
of His watch-care and preserving power. Shall 
man as an ingrate receive these blessings without 
acknowledgment in return ? Should not every com- 
fort bestowed incite in the heart a spirit of praise 
and thanksgiving? 

Prayer is a confession of sins. Man needs not 
some monitor to tell him that he is a sinner. His 
own consciousness recognizes his guilt and his 
proneness to do evil. If he has sinned, is it not ap- 
propriate for him to come to God with a sincere, 
a humble, a full confession of his sins ? 

Prayer is an acknowledgment of the need of 



154 The Life of Faith. 

help : "Ask the Father in My name," seek help from 
Him through My merits. He that prays in the right 
spirit has a full sense of his own unworthiness ; he 
realizes that he has nothing in himself to plead, and 
that he needs help from One who is able to save. 
The merit of the atoning Christ is the only plea 
that can recommend us to God. In His name we 
may pray, and in His name we may prevail. 

2. Prayer is a duty. It is clearly taught in the 
Word of God. Express commands to pray are often 
given. Jesus instructed His disciples how to pray. 
He bids them always to "watch and pray." He en- 
courages them to pray with the assurance that they 
should receive. God invites man in every trouble to 
"call upon" Him. The example of His saints of 
old enforces this duty. Jacob wrestled with the angel 
in prayer, and God heard him. The Psalmist re- 
joices that his feet were taken from the pit of mire 
and clay because God heard his cry. Daniel prayed 
three times each day with his window open and his 
face toward Jerusalem, and God preserved his life 
when he was cast into the den of lions. The apos- 
tles prayed and sang praises to God in prison, and 
their bonds were loosened and they were set free. 
The same loving Father to-day bends the heavens, 
and listens to the supplications of His people. The 
prayer offered in secret will be answered openly. 
The petitions that go up from the family altar will 
not fail to be heard on high. The cries that are 
poured forth at the altar of the Church will ascend 
as sweet incense before the throne of God. Prayer 



Prayer. 155 

will always insure the Divine blessing. The Chris- 
tian overcomes temptation and gains strength, he 
lives and grows spiritually, because he prays. 

" Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 
The Christian's native air ; 
His watchword at the gates of death ; 
He enters heaven by prayer." 

II. Prayer is a Reasonable Duty. Its perform- 
ance is the reasonable condition of obtaining 
temporal and spiritual blessings. "Ask, and you 
shall receive.'' 

There are few professed Christians who expect 
to be blessed spiritually without offering prayer to 
God. They go to the mercy-seat for strengthening 
of faith, for revival of zeal, for purity of heart, for 
an increase of love. But while they use this service 
as a means of spiritual growth, there are many who 
doubt its efficiency as a condition of temporal bless- 
ings. They seldom bring their material interests to 
God in prayer, or implore the Divine favor upon 
the work of their hands. But the Scriptures clearly 
teach that both are the suitable subjects of prayer, 
and that it is right and proper to invoke God's bless- 
ing upon all our interests both of soul and body. 

The unbelief of the world denies any benefit in 
offering prayer. Infidelity boldly objects to its ex- 
ercise as unreasonable and of no use. The objec- 
tions urged by unbelief very often cool the ardor of 
the Christian as he comes to the mercy-seat, and 
weaken his faith in the promise of blessings. But 



156 The Life of Faith. 

when these objections are candidly considered they 
will be found to be without good foundation. The 
arguments used against prayer as a means of ob- 
taining Divine mercies, temporal and spiritual, are 
full of fallacies and their conclusions untrue. 

1. It is objected that prayer is unreasonable in 
view of the wisdom and goodness of God. It is 
urged that as God is all-wise He knows before man 
can pray what is best for him to receive; and as 
He is all-goodness He will bestow upon man that 
which is best, whether he prays or does not pray. 
Then it is asked: "If prayer will not increase the 
knowledge or goodness of God, what is the use of 
offering prayer? If God knows what is best and 
will always do that which is best for man, wherein is 
the benefit of prayer?" This plausible objection of 
unbelief has doubtless often stood in the way of the 
Christian in coming to the mercy-seat. The doubt- 
ing heart has said, "God knows what is best for me, 
and He will do that which is best for me whether 
I pray or not; there is therefore no use for me to 
pray." This species of reasoning has doubtless been 
often the cause of neglecting this precious means of 
grace. The reasoning of the objector, however, 
fails to be good logic. It is assumed in the objec- 
tion that what is best for the man when he prays is 
best for him when he does not pray. This assump- 
tion is untrue, and its untruthfulness destroys all 
the force of the objection. While prayer does not 
change the attributes of God or the character of 
man, the act of praying places man in a new relation 



Prayer. 157 

to God, so that Divine blessings can be bestowed 
upon him because he prays, that would have been 
withholden if he had not prayed. Take a simple 
illustration. There is a father who has two sons. 
On account of that father's observation and expe- 
rience he knows what is best for his sons to receive. 
Because of his paternal love and goodness of heart 
he will always do that which is best for his sons. 
But it does not therefore follow that he will always 
treat the two boys alike. One of the boys is obe- 
dient and faithful to all the directions of his father. 
Let him receive the command to perform some ar- 
duous work, he goes immediately and discharges his 
duty as best he can. When he returns to his father 
with the report that he has done the work, that 
father, as every father ought, receives him gra- 
ciously, and bestows a warm paternal blessing upon 
his obedient boy. The other son is disobedient. He 
regards not his father's counsel, and neglects to 
follow his father's orders. If he is sent on an er- 
rand of duty, he returns without having attempted 
to perform the work. Will that father, who knows 
what is best for his sons and who will always do that 
which is best by his sons, — will he receive the dis- 
obedient boy with a smile of approval and a parental 
blessing? Would that be the best for the son to 
receive? Will not the father, on the other hand, 
sadly and sternly reprove him for his disobedience, 
and, instead of blessing, administer rather the rod 
of correction, that the wayward boy may be re- 
claimed from his evil-doing? We are God's chil- 



i5 8 The Life of Faith. 

dren. He bids us to pray unto Him for blessings. 
If we neglect His command with the plea that He 
knows what is best for us, and that He will do that 
which is best for us whether we pray or not, that we 
will not pray because prayer is useless, can we hope 
to receive at our Father's hand the blessings 
promised to those who lift up the voice of earnest 
supplication? That which is best for the one that 
prays is not the best for the one who does not pray, 
and that which is best for the one who does not pray 
is not the best for the one who does pray. This ob- 
jection urged against the practice of prayer has no 
solid foundation. It should be earnestly brushed 
aside in our approach to the mercy-seat. 

2. Another objection to prayer is based upon 
the infinite nature of the Divine Being. It is urged 
that, as God is infinite and man is finite, it is un- 
reasonable to suppose that prayer will be heard and 
answered. It is asked, Can we expect that God who 
made the world, who builded the mountains, who 
scooped out the ocean depths, who lit up the stars in 
the heavens and guides the suns in their orbits, who 
is the object of the adoration of angels and arch- 
angels, who every moment superintends this won- 
derful universe which His hands have formed, — 
that He will stoop to hear the cry of man, of feeble, 
finite man, a worm of the dust, a creature of to-day 
and gone to-morrow ? It is claimed to be unreason- 
able to expect that He will listen to our prayers, 
and, because we pray, bestow blessings upon us. 
Our hearts may have often fainted within us when 



Prayer. 159 

in our approaches to the mercy-seat we have 
thought of our littleness in comparison with the 
infinity of the Divine Being. Almost in despair we 
have cried out: "Will the Almighty hear our 
prayers? Will He, in answer to our petitions, be- 
stow His blessings upon us ?" Yet our faith need not 
grow weak, nor the voice of supplication be hushed. 
In the very fact that God is infinite, man, though 
finite, may find hope. It is not the merit of the crea- 
ture that attracts the notice of God. If any creature 
that He has made can merit the notice of God's eye, 
what one more than man? It is true that man is 
finite. It is true that, when he is physically com- 
pared with the material universe, he is little and in- 
significant. Compare the dimensions of his body 
with yonder hill, and how small he appears! Let 
him stand at the base of the mountain that lifts its 
head above the clouds, and he is so little that he is 
almost hid from view by the shadow of its rocky 
heights. Take the whole material creation, — its 
suns and its stars, its systems of worlds and planets 
that revolve through unbounded space; put them 
all into one scale, and man physically into the other, 
and so far do they exceed him in weight that he 
seems but as a grain of sand on the seashore or a 
mote floating in the evening sunbeam; far too in- 
significant, it would seem, to attract the notice of 
God's eye. But man is not all material. He has 
within his bosom a thinking, spiritual nature that 
is immortal. He possesses a soul that shall live 
when the mountains shall be melted into the valleys ; 



i6o The Life oe Faith. 

a soul that shall live when the heavens are rolled to- 
gether like a parchment scroll and are consumed 
by fire; a soul that shall live on, and at nature's 
funeral pyre shall sing the dirge of dying worlds. 
If there is merit in any creature to attract the at- 
tention of the Creator, certainly that creature is 
man. But we must confess that man, though pos- 
sessed of an immortal soul, has no merit. He has 
committed sin, and all that he deserves of God is 
condemnation for sin and banishment from His 
presence and the glory of His power. Yet there 
is hope. God is infinite. Because He is infinite He 
is omnipresent. He is present in the heavens above 
and in the earth beneath. He is present in the city 
full and in the desert waste. He is present in the 
marble palace and in the peasant's home. He is 
present in the chamber of sickness, by the pallet of 
straw, and on the pilgrim's road. He is present by 
your side at home or in the Church. Wherever you 
lift the voice in prayer, God is there to hear your 
petitions and to bless your heart. That infinite God 
speaks lovingly to finite man and says, "Come boldly 
to a throne of grace that ye may obtain mercy and 
find grace to help in time of need." 

3. Again, the objection is raised that prayer is 
unreasonable on account of the immutability of God. 
The objector asks: "Why do you offer prayer ex- 
pecting that God will bless you because you pray? 
Why," says he, "God is immutable ; He changes not. 
If He intends to bless you, He will bless you 
whether you pray or not. If He does not intend to 



Prayer. 161 

bless you, your prayers can not change Him so that 
He may bestow a blessing upon you." This objec- 
tion is also characterized by fallacy and gross as- 
sumption. It is true that God is immutable. He 
changes not. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and 
forever. But in what sense is God immutable? 
Turning to the words of inspiration for an answer 
to this question, we find that in the principles of His 
nature God is unchangeable, but in the works of His 
hands He is always changing. God possessed the 
attribute of holiness when the morning stars first 
sang together, and He is holy still. God was omnip- 
otent when He made the worlds, and He is al- 
mighty to-day. God was a God of truth and verac- 
ity in the beginning, He is still a God of veracity; 
therefore His word must stand forever. All His 
promises will be fulfilled. But in giving a history 
of the creation the Scriptures tell us that on the 
first day God made one class of objects, and "the 
evening and the morning were the first day." On 
the second day He changes in the work of His hands 
and creates another class of objects, and "the even- 
ing and the morning were the second day." On the 
third day He changes again ; also on the fourth, the 
fifth, and the sixth day. After He had finished the 
heavens and the earth and all the host of them, He 
changed again, and on the seventh day "He rested 
from all the works which He made." He is always 
changing in the works of His hands. With this 
interpretation of God's immutability I can come to 
the mercy-seat with blessed assurance. His own 
ii 



162 The Life of Faith. 

promise is, "Ask, and you shall receive." As He is 
unchangeable in the principles of His nature., and 
as veracity is one of His attributes, I know His 
promise will be verified. As He is always changing 
in the works of His hands, at His command I "ask," 
and, opening His bountiful hand, He fulfills His 
promise, and bestows showers of blessings upon my 
soul. His immutability is my sure refuge ; it is the 
great rock on which faith for blessings in answer 
to prayer firmly rests. 

4. Prayer is also a reasonable means of secur- 
ing temporal mercies. Unbelief holds that prayer 
can not avail anything in advancing material inter- 
ests, and that it is unreasonable to expect any ben- 
efit from it when everything is controlled by the law 
of cause and effect. How, it is asked, can prayer 
change results that come from the operation of the 
fixed laws of nature ? How can prayer be effectual 
in healing the sick, in bringing showers to the 
thirsty land, in increasing the harvests of the field, 
or in turning away the approaching tornado ? These 
are effects produced by the laws of nature, and un- 
belief claims that it is unreasonable to try by prayer 
to interfere with them or make any change. But 
what are the "laws of nature," and who created 
and holds in His grasp the chain of cause and 
effect ? There is evident the presence of an operat- 
ing force; who wields that force? It is not blind 
fate or unthinking chance. The laws of nature are 
God's ways of working. The chain of cause and 
effect is molded by His hand. Can not the same 



Prayer. 163 

power that created, at His own will, change? To 
deny that He does make any changes is an assump- 
tion. To say that He can not bring about different 
results is to limit His omnipotence. We may not 
be able to explain how a God of infinite wisdom 
may effect the work, but, accepting His Word as 
both reasonable and true, we may pray with faith 
for" both temporal and spiritual mercies. Let us 
therefore bring all our wants to the mercy-seat, for 
God heareth us. Let us accept with unwavering 
confidence His precious promise, "Ask, and you 
shall receive." 

III. The Strong Incentive to Oeeer Prayer: 
"You shall receive, that your joy may be full." 
I. The blessing promised is just what man 
wants, that his joy may be full. The guilt and im- 
purities of sin, the disappointments, the trials, and 
the sorrows of life have flooded his soul with grief, 
and he longs for joy. He has failed to find in 
worldly pleasure true happiness or to discover in 
earthly surroundings a fountain of perennial peace. 
To his anxious, longing soul Jesus says, "Ask, and 
you shall receive, that your joy may be full." Some 
would add, "Ask largely;" but Jesus simply says, 
"Ask;" "Ask, and you shall receive." This is not 
man's promise; it is not the pledge of an earthly 
prince; it is the word of Jesus, the Son of God. 
He has insured the fulfillment of the promise by 
sealing it with His own heart's blood. He has 
made its realization certain by sending the Holy 



164 The Life oe Faith. 

Comforter to effect its coming. The Godhead man- 
ifest bodily in the person of Jesus Christ has in- 
dorsed the promise. Ask, ask with faith ; ask with- 
out fear; ask the Father in Jesus' name, and "you 
shall receive, that your joy may be full." 

2. The promise has been fulfilled in all ages of 
the world. The small band of disciples, after the 
ascension of Christ, met in an upper chamber in 
Jerusalem, and there tested this promise. While 
singing psalms of praise, while engaged in earnest 
prayer, the Holy Comforter was poured upon them, 
and their hearts were baptized with heavenly joy. 
The publican, sad in heart, went up to the temple 
to pray. So sorrowful and heavy-laden was he that 
he could not so much as lift up his face to heaven, 
but stood smiting his hand upon his bosom, saying, 
"Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." The record 
is, he "went down to his house justified;" that is, 
with his heart full of joy. Thousands of others, op- 
pressed by guilt, have offered the same prayer, and 
realized in their glad experience the fulfillment of 
the same promise. The mercy-seat in the Holy of 
Holies was overshadowed by the wings of the 
cherubim, and often lit up with the glory of the 
Lord. The Divine glory still hovers over the place 
of prayer, and God's people there realized His 
blessed presence. 

" There, there on eagle's wings we soar, 
And sin and sense molest no more; 
And heaven comes down our souls to greet, 
And glory crowns the mercy-seat." 



Prayer. 165 

3. Prayer is effectual in securing blessings for 
others also. Petitions will be heard when offered 
in behalf of the Church, of the sick and sorrowing, 
and of those who are unsaved. It is an efficient 
means of extending the influence and power of the 
religion of Christ. A striking incident illustrates 
this fact. It is said that, some years ago, in a por- 
tion of one of the Eastern States was a neighbor- 
hood almost wholly given over to infidelity. A few 
Christian women resolved to attempt the introduc- 
tion of the Bible and Christianity among the fam- 
ilies residing there. They organized a Sabbath- 
school, and went from house to house, inviting the 
children to attend. Sometimes they were well re- 
ceived by the parents ; at other times they met with 
discouraging rebuffs. At one house, where the par- 
ents were both skeptical, the father at first refused 
to permit his children to go to the school, saying 
there was nothing of good in Christianity. They 
gently but earnestly urged his acquiescence. 
Finally he yielded, saying the Sunday-school would 
do his children no good nor any harm, as the Chris- 
tian religion was only a fiction. Perhaps while the 
children were in the school they would be out of his 
way. The three children entered the school and 
became deeply interested in its exercises. They 
learned the story of Jesus and His saving mercy, 
and their young hearts were soon made happy by 
trusting in Him as their Savior. Returning one 
day from the school, they talked with each other 
about the condition of their parents, and resolved 



1 66 The Life of Faith. 

that at an appointed hour they would offer prayers 
in their behalf. The hour came, and they went each 
to a different place to pray. The father, not know- 
ing where his children were, nor caring much about 
them, left the house in a blustering manner. As he 
hastened down the pathway towards the barn he 
was much surprised to hear the voice of his little 
boy, as he knelt in the fence-corner, earnestly pray- 
ing, "Lord, bless father and mother, and lead them 
to love Jesus." The prayer aroused the feelings of 
the father at first, but, brushing aside the surprise, 
he continued his course. He had not gone far till 
the voice of his youngest daughter fell upon his 
ear, and she, too, was praying, "Lord, bless father 
and mother, and lead them to love Jesus the 
Savior." The prayers of his little children troubled 
his heart and strangely overcame him. He con- 
cluded to go to the barn, and there get free from 
the deep impression that had been made upon his 
mind. But just as he entered the barn door, there 
in one corner knelt his oldest daughter, bathed in 
tears and fervently praying, "Lord, bless father 
and mother, and bring them to know Jesus and His 
saving love." He could endure the powerful im- 
pression no longer; he hastily, with falling tears, 
drew near and knelt by the side of his daughter, 
earnestly prayed for pardoning grace, cast away 
his unbelief, and soon rejoiced in saving mercy. 
Gathering his children together in the arms of a 
new love, he went with them to the house, told his 
wife of the rich experience he had found, and their 



Prayer. 167 

united prayers soon resulted in her conversion and in 
making that a truly happy household. The fire thus 
kindled spread from house to house, and from heart 
to heart, until the whole neighborhood was changed 
from unbelievers to joyful Christians. 

God hears the prayers of the old and the young, 
of the rich and the poor, of the learned and the un- 
learned. In answer to prayer He convicts sinners, 
comforts penitents, builds up His people in the faith 
of the Gospel. There is saving power in prayer. 
"Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be 
full." 



REJOICE EVERMORE. 

"Rejoice evermore." — i Thess. v, 16. 

There: is in every human heart the earnest de- 
sire to be happy. That desire is not only to be 
happy, but to be happy always. No one longs for 
days of sadness or seasons of sorrow. No one 
wishes to walk in the shadows of grief or to dwell 
in the house of mourning. The utmost effort of 
all men is to acquire such surroundings as will give 
promise of continual happiness. Many and various 
are the means employed to attain this end. Some 
seek it in the exciting rounds of worldly pleasure. 
Some imagine that it may be gained by giving full 
indulgence to the lusts and appetites of mind and 
body. Others suppose that by acquiring wealth they 
will have that which will insure them unceasing joy. 
Others deem that it will come with positions of 
worldly honors and by having their names in- 
scribed high on the roll of earthly fame ; while there 
are still others who leave home and friends, en- 
dure the hardships of travel into distant and strange 
lands, expecting to find there overflowing fountains 
of joy and skies that are ever bright and fair. But 
failure has been the result of all these efforts. It 

168 



Rejoice; Evermore. 169 

has been found by sad experience that this earth 
affords no perennial fountain of happiness, that 
there is no land without clouds and no sea without 
storms. In the text the apostle presents the religion 
of the Lord Jesus Christ as that only which will 
meet at all times man's most earnest longings. He 
recommends it as a possession that will give com- 
fort to the heart when all else fails, and enable man 
to "rejoice evermore." 

There are those who claim that the gaining of 
such a state is an impossibility. Even many who 
profess to be Christians believe that one can not in 
this life be always happy. They expect to meet 
with seasons of rejoicings, but also look for times 
of sadness. They hope for days when they will 
stand on the mountain top where all is sunshine and 
clear skies, but look for these to be followed by 
dark and stormy nights. We live in a mixed world, 
they say; a world of sunshine and shadow, a world 
of light and darkness, a world of smiles and tears, 
a world of health and sickness, a world of life and 
death ; and they ask : "How, in such a changing 
world, can anything supply continual joy? How 
can even the religion of Christ make man, here, al- 
ways happy? There will no doubt," they continue, 
"be seasons of rejoicings, but hours of sadness are 
sure to come. There will be calms and storms, clear 
days and cloudy days, alternating all along the jour- 
ney of life, and in these constant changes how can 
one always possess the spirit of rejoicing?" To 
such objections the answer may be given : Paul, the 



170 The Life oe Faith. 

inspired author of the text, lived in just such a 
world as we live in. He had the same besetments of 
human nature to contend with that we have ; he had 
to meet the same spiritual foes that place tempta- 
tions in our way ; his trials were much more severe 
than what we encounter; he experienced fearful 
storms and shipwrecks on the sea and bitter perse- 
cution and bufferings on the land ; his life was ex- 
posed to danger at all times; yet out of all these 
fearful surroundings he comes rejoicing. He is 
overwhelmed by no wave of gloom; he is discour- 
aged in his work by no opposition ; his spirit of re- 
joicing is quenched by no storm of trouble; out of 
all he comes triumphantly, with his trust in God un- 
shaken, — a striking illustration of the comforting 
and sustaining power of the Gospel, and assures 
all the followers of Christ that it is their precious 
privilege to "rejoice evermore." 

A candid consideration of the work of grace 
wrought upon the heart and life of the believer will 
show that the apostolic command of the text is both 
reasonable and philosophical. The religion of the 
Gospel is a certain source of continual happiness. 

1. It removes from man's heart conscious guilt, 
and gives a blessed assurance of acceptance with 
God. When this change is experienced, peace and 
joy are the certain results. The environments of 
man do not necessarily make up or mar his happi- 
ness. The state of the heart determines the life. 
If the heart is sad, man will live a sad life; if the 
heart is happy, the whole man will be happy what- 



Rejoice: Evermore. 171 

ever may be his surroundings. The man convicted 
of murder and sentenced to death is sad because he 
knows he is guilty and that he must suffer for his 
crime. While in such a condition no outward cir- 
cumstances can afford him relief. You may go to 
the prison in which he is confined, and try to com- 
fort him and make him happy. You may spread 
before him the choicest of food and drink ; you may 
open his windows so that he can look out upon 
beautiful and fragrant flowers; you may station 
near him an orchestra that will pour forth the most 
enlivening strains of music ; you may surround him 
with his dearest friends. After preparing every- 
thing that promises to give joy to his heart you 
may say to him, "Now be happy ; now be cheerful ; 
now indulge the spirit of rejoicing; be no longer 
sad, for you have about you everything that you 
can desire." But all these things would not be able 
to give joy to his heart; they would not relieve him 
of his guilt as a criminal; they would not remove 
the sentence of his condemnation, or defer the hour 
appointed for him to suffer for his crime. He 
would realize no relief from his sad condition from 
all these delightful surroundings. 

Or take a more homely illustration: That man 
is suffering severely with the toothache. The pro- 
cess of decay in the nerve of the tooth causes in- 
tense pain. The whole body agonizes in sympathy 
with the decaying tooth. His sufferings make him 
Cross, unpleasant, and unhappy. Try to cheer up 
and cause him to forget his trouble; sing to him 



172 The Life oe Faith. 

his favorite songs ; spread his table with the most 
inviting food ; surround him with scenes of gayety, 
with laughter, and pleasant words; say to him, 
"Now eat, drink, and be merry ; forget your pains ; 
enter into the glad spirit about you; no longer be 
fretful or crabbed, but be a happy, cheerful man ;" 
but your efforts would all prove in vain. He would 
doubtless turn away from you, with his hand 
pressed hard upon his cheek, and say, "How can I 
be happy, suffering as I do with this terrible pain ?' ' 
And he will be unable to rest or find contentment 
until the pain is quieted with opiates or the tooth 
is extracted by the dentist. Nothing around him 
will afford relief. So it is with man spiritually. 
While unsaved he is conscious of guilt and under 
the sentence of Divine condemnation. He is suf- 
fering with the heartache because of sin. The rich- 
est of viands spread before him, the gayest rounds 
of worldly pleasure, the most enchanting strains of 
music, the greatest amount of earthly gain or 
earthly honor, fail to impart true happiness to his 
soul. Guilt must be removed from his heart, his 
conscience of sins must be allayed before he can 
have true peace. Not till he comes to the cross of 
Christ where pardon is found, not till by faith he 
brings his troubled soul to a loving Savior, can he 
obtain real and substantial joy. When sin is for- 
given, when he becomes a child of God, then only 
will a spirit of rejoicing spring up in his heart and 
his peace flow as a river; "for, being justified by 
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord 
Jesus Christ." 



Rejoice Evermore. 173 

2. The religion of the Gospel affords a bound- 
less field for the acquisition of knowledge. Man is 
so constituted that there is necessary a continual 
increase of his stock of knowledge that he may al- 
ways be happy. It is his nature to think; it is his 
earnest desire to know more. He is not contented 
unless he is acquiring new knowledge. Whatever 
may be his attainments in learning, he longs to gain 
more. Nor will his cup of joy be full unless the 
field of his mental vision is enlarging and new 
truths are being brought to light. The events of 
every-day life give proof of this unceasing thirst 
for something new. When you meet your friend on 
the way and shake hands with him, almost his first 
inquiry is, "What 's the news to-day ?" He wants 
to add to his stock of knowledge, to know what 
new events are transpiring in the world, and is con- 
tent only in having this desire met. It is said that 
the severest punishment that can be inflicted upon 
a criminal is confinement in a dark dungeon cell ; to 
incarcerate him where no face can be seen, no voice 
heard, no friendly hand touched. The dreariness of 
such confinement is worse than death. While in 
that dungeon, should some ray of light, entering a 
crevice, reveal a spider spinning its web in a cor- 
ner of the cell, the prisoner will watch it intently, be 
deeply interested in its movements, and seem to ob- 
tain some relief from his loneliness. He is gain- 
ing some new knowledge, and the earnest longings 
of his mind are being to some extent gratified. The 
wider the field for gaining knowledge, the greater 



174 The Life °^ Faith. 

the joy experienced by man. The religion of our 
Lord Jesus Christ fully meets this requirement of 
the min^l of man. You may say that science sup- 
plies this want. It is true that its revelations are 
many and wonderful. The volume of nature pre- 
sents a widening- scope for thought and investiga- 
tion. The earth beneath us J the hills and valleys 
around us, the heavens above us, are constantly in- 
viting us to new discoveries. The material uni- 
verse is full of grand facts and powerful forces that 
are only waiting for man to gather them into his 
storehouse of knowledge, and put them to use for 
his own good. But the religion of the Gospel pre- 
sents grander truths, opens to our view wider 
fields of knowledge, and leads us on beyond 
the boundaries of science and philosophy. It floods 
our pathways with light where nature's suns and 
stars fail to shine. The lessons which science 
teaches are grand, but grander far the revelations 
of God's Word. Science tells me that the v/orld 
exists, that suns and stars march on in bright array ; 
it traces their paths through the heavens; it meas- 
ures their orbits and determines their weight in its 
scales ; but the Bible tells me whence they all came, 
by whose almighty scepter they are marshaled in 
their courses, and whose hand leads them on to their 
sublime destiny. Science tells me of my material 
form, of my beating pulse and flowing life blood, 
of my bone and muscle and brain ; but the Bible tells 
me of my spiritual nature, and reveals my soul's im- 
mortality. Science tells me of a burdened heart, 



Rejoice Evermore. 175 

of a guilty conscience, and of a troubled and anx- 
ious mind ; but the Bible opens to my view a foun- 
tain of redeeming mercy, and brings to my bosom 
the peace and joy of a great salvation. Science tells 
me of physical pain and disease and death ; but the 
Bible, in a voice so tender that it can melt the heart, 
and yet so powerful that it can wake the dead, tells 
me of an unfailing source of comfort when sorrows 
come, of a glorious resurrection from the dead, of 
an inheritance that is incorruptible and eternal in 
the heavens. It reveals a land of perennial joy, a 
home where pain and death are strangers, a country 
far beyond the sweep of the most enlarged vision of 
science. The glorious truths of revelation increase 
our stock of knowledge, the religion of the Gospel 
affords continually richer and deeper experiences, 
and its comforting and hope-inspiring power to the 
soul enables us to "rejoice evermore." 

3. The religion of the Gospel imparts to man 
steadfast trust in God and in His providential care. 
A want of this confidence creates in the mind a state 
of uncertainty and a spirit of fear in regard to the 
present, and also to the future. The assurance that 
a kind Father is watching over us every moment to 
guard us from evil gives contentment, even when 
storms are around us. That the joy of to-day may 
be undisturbed we have need of a faith in a good 
time coming to-morrow. The clouds of the future 
cast their shadows upon our thresholds in the pres- 
ent. Coming disappointments and coming sorrows 
mar our present happiness. We need assurance of 



176 The Life of Faith. 

protection along our whole journey. A trust in 
God will relieve us of anxiety in regard to the 
future and give courage to meet coming events. 
Much of man's present unhappiness is occasioned by 
fear of dangers that are imaginary; much of the 
world's trouble is borrowed trouble. This fact is 
very clearly illustrated in Bunyan's description of 
the progress of Christian towards the Celestial 
City. When almost in sight of that city Christian 
became affrighted, and stopped on his journey. He 
was ready to turn his steps back again. His friend 
urged him to go forward, telling him that his jour- 
ney was almost at an end ; that already the glitter- 
ing towers and jasper walls of the Heavenly City 
could be seen ; that soon its gates of pearl would be 
opened for his entrance. But Christian, trembling 
with fear, replied: "The way is full of dangers. 
See," said he, "there are ravenous lions along the 
road before us; I dare not go any farther." His 
friend urged him on, and, taking him by the hand, 
led him forward. Trembling and pale with fear, 
he slowly approached the spot on the road where 
the lions were seen, and when he came near he saw 
that they were bound fast with chains on the road- 
side so that they could not touch him. If we go 
forward trusting in God we will find that the lions 
before us are all in chains so that they can not do 
us harm. 

In every calling in life there are those who are 
more or less borrowers of trouble. Take, as an il- 
lustration, that farmer who is always looking for- 



Rejoice Evermore;. 177 

ward for unpropitious seasons and failure of crops. 
Go to him in early springtime, and ask, "What are 
the prospects for a crop the coming season ? do you 
expect a large harvest this year?" With a coun- 
tenance growing sad, he will shake his head mourn- 
fully and reply : "The prospects are very poor ; the 
spring is backward; the cold, wet weather con- 
tinues ; the ground is not fit for cultivation ; we will 
not be able to plant the seed in proper time, and are 
sure to fail in getting a crop. We are bound to 
have a poor harvest and be in want when winter 
comes." But the cold rains soon cease to fall ; the 
soil grows warm beneath the sunshine of spring- 
time; the corn is planted in good time, and comes 
up well. Now ask him about the outlook for a crop. 
"The corn is starting nicely ; you have a good stand 
all over the field ; you have prospects for a fine crop, 
have you not?" He will answer: "Yes, the corn 
has started well, but the prospects are very bad. 
The cutworms are abundant in the field, and are 
badly cutting down the young corn. My hard work, 
early and late, in getting it planted will all be in vain. 
The crop will be small, and we will be without bread 
when winter comes." The hot June sun, however, 
shines down upon the fields and kills off the cut- 
worms ; the corn grows luxuriantly, and looks well. 
Now say to him : "The outlook for a good crop is 
very promising. Do you not think you will have a 
fine harvest ?" But he is still fearful, and answers : 
"Well, I do not know. The corn is growing well 
now, but the weather is getting very hot. I am 
12 



178 The Life of Faith. 

afraid we will have a severe drouth, and then our 
prospects will all be blighted, and we will be with- 
out corn when winter comes." Let the early and 
latter rains fall copiously upon his fields; let the 
stalks put forth large and well-filled ears. Now ask 
him if he is not satisfied. The crop is already made, 
and the harvest will no doubt be a bountiful one; 
but he is still fearful, and his countenance is still 
sad as he answers : "Yes, there is going to be an 
immense crop to gather at harvest time, but it will 
be so abundant that corn will not be worth anything 
in the market. It will hardly bring enough money 
to pay for putting it in the crib, and we are sure 
to be in want when winter comes." Let the price 
of corn, however, remain good ; let him sell his hun- 
dreds of bushels for good money; let him deposit 
his money in the bank for safekeeping. Now go to 
him and ask him if he does not feel happy and 
cheerful ; his corn is sold at good prices, his money 
is deposited in the bank for his own use, and every- 
thing has turned out well. But instead of indulging 
a spirit of rejoicing, he is still troubled with new 
fears, and he replies : "It is true I had a large crop, 
and sold my corn for good prices. It is true I have 
the money deposited in the bank; but I am afraid 
the bank will break, and all my hard earned money 
will be gone." He is never contented, always look- 
ing out for trouble, every day anxious about to-mor- 
row. This want of confidence in God's good provi- 
dences, this borrowing of trouble, is found almost 
everywhere. It casts its gloomy shadow upon shop 



Rejoice Evermore. 179 

and store, upon communities and families, upon men 
and women, and ever corrodes with fear the human 
heart. Trust in God, reliance upon His good provi- 
dences is needed to drive away the threatening 
clouds and cause the sunlight to fall upon our path- 
ways. It will give patience to calmly wait and not 
try to cross the bridge before we come to it. It 
will quiet our fears of not being able to climb the 
hill while it is yet far off in the distance. It will 
assure us that help will be given when help is 
needed. 

You may say to me that your troubles are not 
borrowed, but real; they are not caused by imag- 
inary events of the future, but by sad facts of to- 
day. Grievous disappointments have already come 
upon you. Your property has taken wings and 
flown away; or the wasting of disease is now at 
work upon your body; or the shadows of death 
have crossed your threshold, and loved ones have 
been called away from your side. Sorrow has over- 
whelmed you; and you ask how, in the midst of 
these real misfortunes, can you be happy ? how can 
you rejoice evermore? In reply I would say, no one 
is able to explain God's mysterious dealings with us 
in this life. No one can tell why the heart is al- 
lowed to be rent with grief, or how the sorrows of 
this life will be compensated in the life to come. I 
can not tell why the messenger of death was per- 
mitted, on a dark stormy night, to enter my own 
little home and suddenly take away one who had 
been a loving companion for many years. I can not 



180 The Life: of Faith. 

explain these events so heart-rending; yet we are 
not left to pursue our journey in utter darkness. 
The inspired Word contains promises that should 
afford comfort in every sorrow, and give relief to 
every aching heart. The apostle says, "All things 
work together for good to them that love and serve 
God." If "all things" are for our good, why should 
we be sad ? Why should we repine, even when sorest 
troubles come? If "all things" are for our good, 
why should we give way to grief or sink down in 
utter despondency? If "all things" are for our 
good, why may we not, even amid falling tears, re- 
joice? If disappointments or bodily affliction are 
for my good, why should I not willingly endure 
them? If persecution or poverty is for my good, I 
would bravely meet them. If the rending of the 
ties that bind me to loved ones be for my good, I 
will bow my will to the will of God though tears un- 
bidden overflow mine eyes. If even death is for 
my good, let no murmur fall from my lips ; let no 
pangs of grief rend my heart when the summons 
Comes. Every changing scene of life should be joy- 
fully met; every trial should be bravely endured. 
They are for our good, and a loving Father will ex- 
plain them all to us by and by. Therefore, as they 
come and go, ever trusting in God, who has said, 
"My grace shall be sufficient for thee," let us "re- 
joice evermore." 

4. The religion of the Lord Jesus Christ is a 
sure means of victory. Success always begets glad- 
ness in the heart; victory always inspires with a 



Rejoice Evermore. 181 

spirit of rejoicing. See that schoolboy as he starts 
in the morning to school. He is anxious about the 
lessons of the day, and worries over the problems 
he has to solve. But he manifests a different spirit 
when he returns in the evening. His head is up, 
and he wears a happy countenance. He joyfully 
bounds in at the door, and gladly greets his mother 
with the shout, "I solved all those problems my- 
self!" He has been successful, and is therefore 
happy. See that soldier in the ranks of an army 
that is always victorious. He has had long 
marches ; he has been engaged in severe battles ; but 
he returns a happy soldier, for the flag of his regi- 
ment has never been trailed in the dust, and his 
army has been victorious in every engagement. The 
religion of the Gospel enables the Christian always 
to be triumphant. Grace is given to him to over- 
Come self ; to subdue evil passions ; to lay aside every 
besetting sin; to endure every trial. His heart is 
inspired with courage to meet the tempter at all 
times, and to overcome the strongest temptations. 
The Comforter walks by his side in every sorrow, 
and gives him grace to endure all pain and suffer- 
ing. Even when the ties of love are riven asunder 
and the bitter tears of separation are falling, he is 
buoyed up with the joyful promise of meeting again 
where the bonds of love are never broken and where 
there is no more death; and when his final conflict 
comes, he is enabled to triumph. When his course 
is finished and his work is done, he encounters his 
last enemy without fear, and gains a glorious vie- 



1 82 The Life of Faith. 

tory. Go visit the chamber where the good man 
meets his fate, — 

" 'T is privileged beyond the common walks of men, 
Quite on the verge of heaven." 

There may be weeping around his couch, and the 
hearts of loved ones may be ready to break; but a 
smile of joy lights up his countenance, and a shout 
of triumph is on his lips. You may say to him as 
he goes down into the valley : 

" Pilgrim, see that stream before thee, 
Darkly winding through the vale ; 
Should its chilly waves roll o'er thee, 
Then would not thy courage fail? " 

But he will answer back, though it may only be 
in a whisper : 

" No ; that stream has nothing frightful : 
To its brink my steps I '11 bend ; 
There to plunge will be delightful, 
There my pilgrimage will end." 

And with the shout of victory, "All is well," he 
passes on to the better land. 

In every condition in life — in youth or old age, 
in poverty or wealth, in shadow or in sunshine, in 
storms or in calms — the religion of the Lord Jesus 
Christ is a living fountain, from which flow streams 
of perennial joy. It is a sun that never goes down, 
but ever throws floods of light upon the Christian's 
pathway. It is a rich diadem placed upon his brow, 



Rejoice Evermore. 183 

in which gems of light and hope sparkle forever. It 
is man's richest possession, and gives promise of 
"the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 
It removes guilt from the heart, and gives assur- 
ance of acceptance with God. It supplies abundant 
grace for every trial, and imparts the hope of a 
home in heaven. It takes away the sting of death, 
gives promise of a resurrection morning, and pro- 
vides an inheritance above, — one that is incorrupti- 
ble and that fadeth not away. Child of God, why 
should you be sad or overcome with sorrow ? Why 
give way to grief, or pass your days in mourning? 
Yours is a portion that is bright and fair. Yours is 
a path that shines brighter and brighter. Be of good 
cheer. Be happy day and night. "Rejoice ever- 



XL 

NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL. 

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for 
it is the power of God unto salvation to every 
one that believeth/'— Rom. i, 16. 

We have in these words a declaration of Paul's 
Christian confidence and Christian courage. He 
gives expression to his unwavering faith in the truth 
and excellency of the Gospel of Christ. He shows 
his courage in being willing to preach that Gospel 
to all men. Although it was everywhere spoken 
against, he manifests no fear to submit its teach- 
ings and influences to the severest test. He not only 
holds up the cross before those who are inclined to 
believe; he not only presents Christ Jesus as a 
Savior to the poor and the unlearned; but to all, 
to rich and poor, to the learned and the unlearned, 
to the high and the low, he proclaims with boldness 
the doctrines of the Gospel. He bears the same 
precious message to both Jew and Gentile. He 
preaches Christ and Him crucified as the hope of 
the world, in the villages of India, in the cities of 
Asia Minor and to the mixed multitudes of Mace- 
donia. He tells the story of saving grace to the 
craftsmen of Corinth and to the wise men of Ath- 

184 



Not Ashamed of the Gospei,. 185 

ens. And he is now willing to go to Rome, and 
there also preach this Gospel. Although that city 
was the capital of the Roman Empire, where stood 
the palaces of the world's rulers; although it was 
the chief seat of learning and philosophy ; although 
it was the home of wealth and of eloquence; al- 
though it was the center of heathen temples and 
religious ceremonies, — yet even at Rome he was 
anxious to preach the simple truths of the Gospel ; 
to present it as "the power of God unto salvation to 
every one that believeth." 

These are not the words of a fanatic, or the ex- 
pression of a mere enthusiast. They are the calm 
utterance of a well-educated man ; a man of strong 
intellectual powers; a man of eloquent speech and 
ready pen; a man who was always strictly con- 
scientious. Had he found the Gospel to be a mere 
invention or fiction of men; had he discovered in 
its teachings gross errors or contradictions of the 
truth; had he seen that the reception of its claims 
and the observance of its ordinances were injurious 
and degrading to men; or had it failed, in fulfill- 
ing its promise to those who received it, to give 
them pardon, and peace, and hope, — then might 
Paul have been ashamed of it. But he had fully 
tested the saving power of the Gospel in his own 
experience ; he had noted its elevating and purifying 
influence upon the lives and characters of others, 
and he had found in it clear evidence of its Divine 
origin and Divine excellency. He therefore, every- 
where, boldly declares, "I am not ashamed of the 



1 86 The Life oe Faith. 

Gospel of Christ." He makes this declaration his 
every-day motto, and its sentiment inspires all his 
life-work as an apostle. When we, with Paul, test 
by experience its gracious provisions; when we 
carefully examine its doctrines; when we closely 
observe its elevating and purifying effect upon the 
lives and characters of men, we too may join 
heartily with him in saying, "I am not ashamed of 
the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God 
unto salvation to every one that believeth." A care- 
ful and unprejudiced examination of the Gospel 
affords good grounds for such confidence. 

I. It is Founded Upon the Reasonable and Cer- 
tain Truth That There is One God Who is 
the Father oe Us Aee. In this fact there is 
nothing of which any man should be ashamed. 
Every house should be builded upon a sure and 
steadfast foundation. If it be built upon the sand, 
it will fall when the rains descend and when the 
floods come. The superstructure may be ever so 
costly and picturesque ; its halls and chambers may 
be adorned with paintings and finely carved furni- 
ture ; its towers may be imposing and its battlements 
pleasing to the eye ; but if its foundation is insecure, 
no one will desire to make it his dwelling place. 
Its richly furnished apartments will not allay the 
fear of danger or give confidence in its stability. 
The same thing is true of every system of faith or 
philosophy. The world wants to be assured that it 
is well-founded. If the principle on which it is 
builded is not true ; if its underlying premise is in- 



Not Ashamed of the Gospel. 187 

correct, its conclusions will not be accepted, its 
teachings and promises will be discarded, and its 
precepts ignored. No confidence would then be 
given to its pretense of affording happiness here or 
hereafter. Men might then readily be ashamed to 
profess a belief in its theories or an acceptance of its 
doctrines. The want of truth in the foundation in- 
sures weakness to every part of the superstructure. 
But the Christian temple is builded upon a solid 
rock. The Gospel of Christ in all its parts, in all 
its provisions and precepts and promises, is founded 
upon the great basal truth that there is one God 
who is the Creator of all things. He is the foun- 
tain whence flows the stream of Gospel salvation. 
His love provided a Savior. His voice announces 
to man the good news. His grace operates upon 
the believing heart, changing it from a state of sin 
and guilt to one of peace and holiness. The Gospel 
is Divine. It is God's own handiwork. On the 
eternal truth that God is, is this glorious temple 
builded. No man ever enters its door or approaches 
its altars without faith in God. No man is ever 
clothed in its beautiful apparel but by the hand of 
God. The light of the Divine countenance shines 
all along the way of salvation. The glory of his 
presence overshadows all the workings of saving 
grace. All the doctrines and ordinances of the Gos- 
pel bear the seal of the Divine hand. On the great 
truth that there is one God who is the Father of us 
all is safely founded the glorious Gospel of our sal- 
vation. 



188 The Life oe Faith. 

Compare this answer of the Gospel to the ques- 
tion, "Whence are all things?" with the answer of 
every other system of faith or philosophy, and how 
much more reasonable, how much more excellent 
doth it appear ! 

Take the theory of the old Pantheist. He 
ascribed to many gods the creation of the many dif- 
ferent things in the world. He argued that as every 
effect must have a cause, and as there are many 
effects manifested in the world, there must therefore 
be many gods causing these effects and bringing 
different events into existence. His system of faith 
embraced deities innumerable. He had a god for 
the land and a god for the sea; a god for the hills 
and a god for the valleys ; a god for the day and a 
god for the night ; a god of war and a god of peace. 
He had great gods and little gods, good gods and 
bad gods. Sometimes his gods would become jeal- 
ous of each other ; sometimes they would love each 
other; and at other times they would engage in 
deadly war with each other. To each one of these 
gods temples were erected, sacrifices and prayers 
were offered at their altars. But nowhere, neither 
among the philosophers of Greece, or the rich 
devotees at Rome, or among the most benighted of 
pagan tribes, did polytheism make man any better 
or more noble, or endow the worshipers at its 
shrines with a spirit of peace and happiness. On 
the other hand, the Christian recognizes the exist- 
ence of many effects wrought by many causes oper- 
ating in the world ; but through all these causes and 



Not Ashamed of the Gospel. 189 

effects he sees evidence of one designing Mind, the 
work of one creating and controlling Hand; and 
back through them all he is clearly led to the Great 
First Cause, to God, the Almighty Maker of all 
things; to the all-wise, the loving God of the Gos- 
pel. Which of these two systems of faith is the 
more reasonable ? Of which would you be ashamed ? 
Take the theory of the fatalist. With him every- 
thing is the result of chance. Everything has just 
happened to be ; or everything has by chance been 
evolved out of something else. The modern term 
of spontaneous generation expresses about the same 
idea that the old fatalist held. According to this 
new form of fatalism one generation of one kind 
has, without any designing mind, produced another 
generation of an entirely different kind. This 
theory of chance was in olden times the faith of 
many minds. It occupied a prominent place in 
ancient human philosophy. Even to-day you may 
find traces of the same theory among many people. 
Men who talk of luck in business, of events happen- 
ing, of good or bad fortune as their lot, have in their 
minds the idea that chance is an acting force, that 
their success or failure is produced by fate. But 
what is chance, or fate, that imaginary force to 
which is ascribed creative and controlling power? 
Where does it dwell, or how does it wield its scep- 
ter? One, in burlesque, gives a brief epitome of 
this whole theory. By chance, he says, a ball of 
soft matter took its place in the heavens and com- 
menced revolving on its axis. This was the begin- 



190 The Ijee of Faith. 

ning of the existence of the earth. By chance a 
small portion of this matter was jostled loose from 
the ball, and that particle by chance became a turtle, 
the first of the animal kingdom. By chance the tur- 
tle stretched out its head too far and it became a 
serpent. By chance the serpent raised its head aloft, 
and somehow turned to a monkey. By chance the 
monkey made a step upward and turned to a bab- 
oon. By chance the baboon lost part of its hairy 
covering and became a Negro; and by chance the 
Negro got badly affrighted and turned to a white 
man. Thus, by chance, by fate, by spontaneous 
generation, all things exist. You and I are not 
ready to give our belief to any such theory. But in 
such fallacies and vagaries of thought must all, who 
deny the existence and creative power of the one 
Almighty, find a hiding place. How can men pos- 
sessing brilliancy of intellects and well-cultured 
minds find freedom from superstition and liberty of 
thought in such empty dogmas? Much more rea- 
sonable, much more noble, much more worthy of 
reception are the simple teachings of Christian 
philosophy. You need not go, to realize this fact, 
to those who are learned in doctrine and wise in 
theology, in drawing the contrast. In order to see 
the greater excellency of the Gospel you may select 
the simplest illustration. Go to the little Sabbath- 
school girl who has learned the first lessons in the 
story of Jesus and His saving love. Direct her eye 
to the blades of grass that, like a green carpet, skirt 
her pathway. Ask her, "Did chance make the grass 



Not Ashamed of the Gospel. 191 

to grow !" She will modestly but firmly answer you, 
"No, sir !" Point to the spreading forest-trees that, 
in their native beauty, wave their boughs about her 
father's farm, and ask her, "Did chance make the 
trees to grow ; did chance fashion their leaves ; did 
chance paint their blossoms, or load them with 
fruit?" She will earnestly answer you, "No, sir." 
Point to the clouds that float along the azure sky, 
and ask her, "Did chance give to the clouds their 
silvery wings and golden hue, and send them, like 
things of life, through the air?" She will firmly 
answer you, "No, sir !" Direct her eyes to the suns 
and stars that so brightly adorn the evening sky, 
and ask her, "Did chance make these shining orbs 
and appoint their places in the heavens?" She will 
quickly answer you, "No, sir." "Who, then, made 
all the wonderful things in the heavens above and 
on the earth beneath?" Her simple answer will 
be: "It was God. God made the suns and stars, 
and hung them in the sky. God made the clouds 
and caused them to fly through the air. God made 
the trees to grow, the flowers to bloom, and the 
grass to cover the hills and the valleys. God made 
everything." And her answer will have in it more 
solid reason and good philosophy than the most 
subtle argument of the Pantheist, or the most iron- 
ical philippics of the Agnostic. Reason and revela- 
tion both attest the truth of this great foundation 
doctrine of the Gospel, and you and I have no need 
to be ashamed of it. 



192 The Life of Faith. 

II. The Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union is 
Taught in the Gospel: that in Jesus Christ 
the Divine and human nature were united, and, 
as such, He becomes man's Mediator. Is there 
anything in this truth of which man may be 
ashamed ? 

The mind of man may not be able to comprehend 
the mystery of this union or explain how the Son 
of God could take upon Himself the form of a serv- 
ant. But while human reason can not explain how 
the Godhead manifested Himself bodily in the per- 
son of Jesus Christ, there is no cause for rejecting 
it as a fact, or of being ashamed of the truth re- 
vealed. Such a wonderful revelation to the world 
is for man's good as well as for the glory of God. 

It may be supposed that the union of the Divine 
and human natures in one person must necessarily 
have been derogatory to the Divine character, and 
therefore impossible and untrue. But the life and 
works of Jesus Christ show such supposition to be 
groundless. The attributes both of humanity and 
Divinity are revealed in His person in all their per- 
fection. Purity is one of the attributes of God ; the 
life of Jesus was pure. While man is naturally sin- 
ful and impure, the humanity of the Christ had no 
blemish. Though tempted like we are, yet He was 
"without sin." He was "an Israelite indeed in 
whom there was no guile." His bitterest enemies 
could find no fault in Him. He was "glorious in 
His apparel;" His life was free from evil and per- 
fectly holy. Omniscience is one of God's attributes. 



Not Ashamed of the Gospel. 193 

Jesus possessed perfect knowledge; He knew the 
very thoughts of those around him — a heart knowl- 
edge that belongs to the Divine only. Omnipotence 
is an attribute of God; Jesus possessed all power. 
He touched the eye of the blind, and sight was re- 
stored. He rebuked the incurable disease of lep- 
rosy, and the leper was made whole. He com- 
manded the storm-tossed sea to be still, and there 
was a great calm. He spoke to the sleeping dead ; 
they heard his voice and came back to life. All the 
Divine attributes shine forth in undiminished splen- 
dor in the words, the works, and the life of Jesus 
the Christ. 

Again, this manifestation of the Godhead in 
the person of Jesus enables man to approach God 
intelligently. We are commanded to "worship 
God." But God is a Spirit; how shall we worship 
Him? Man can not apprehend or understand his 
own spirit. He knows by revelation that he has a 
soul, but its nature and very being are beyond the 
touch of his senses. How can he know or offer ac- 
ceptable service to God unless by some manifesta- 
tion He reveals Himself. The Jews were assured 
of His presence when they beheld His glory over- 
shadowing the mercy-seat. The heathen made gods 
of wood and stone, and offered to them their sacri- 
fices because they could see them and touch them. 
The superstitious papist would worship the Great 
Spirit in images and paintings and the crucifix. But 
we have no need to seek God in wood or stone or 
crucifix. Jesus has become the Daysman, the Me- 

!3 



194 The Life of Faith. 

diator between God and man. "In Him dwelleth all 
the fullness of the Godhead bodily." We can hear 
His voice ; we can see His form ; we can feel His 
human sympathy; we can witness His wondrous 
dying love. Through Him we may look up to our 
Divine Father. By the hand of His humanity He 
can lead us to God. Through Him and by His 
merits we can love, adore, and worship God in 
spirit and in truth. No need of idol or image or 
crucifix on which to fix our gaze, but, "ever look- 
ing unto Jesus/' we may behold the real presence of 
the Divine glory, and by Him be led from darkness 
and sin to light, to holiness, and to heaven. There 
is not a single feature of this truth that should cause 
the cheek to blush with shame. 

III. In the Gospel is Provided an Atonement 
for Sin, and Man May be Saved. "It is the 
power of God unto salvation." 
Consciousness and revelation clearly show man's 
guilt; that he has committed sin; that he has vio- 
lated the Divine law, and is under God's condemna- 
tion. The penalty of the broken law is death, and 
justice demands that the penalty be inflicted. How 
can the requirements of the law be satisfied and 
man be saved? He has no merit of his own to 
plead, nothing with which to pay the price of his 
redemption. If he could or would repent of his 
transgressions, mere repentance would not atone for 
his sins or amend the broken law. The criminal 



Not Ashamed of thk Gospel. 195 

may be arrested and condemned, and though he is 
ever so sorry for the deeds he has done, his sorrow 
will not pay the debt he owes or blot out the fact of 
his guilt. The granting of pardon by the officers of 
the law to every one guilty, because he is sorry for 
his crime, would overthrow government and destroy 
all law. There is no promise of pardon for the 
guilty in all the realm of nature. You will find law 
everywhere, and to each law is added a penalty; 
he that violates the laws of nature must suffer the 
penalty. The man who thrusts his hand into the 
fire must endure the pain brought on by that act, 
though he repents of it with tears and groans. He 
that drinks from the cup of poison will die, though 
in the paroxysms of his last hour he deeply deplores 
his fatal deed. How shall man's sins against God 
be pardoned ? How can his guilt be removed ? How 
can man be saved? How can God be just, and yet 
forgive the sinner? This was the problem of the 
ages. It was the question which human philosophy 
could not answer, and doubtless engaged the most 
earnest study of angelic minds. But the Gospel comes 
with glad tidings to man. Jesus the Christ, has in let- 
ters of blood, wrought out the solution. He has of- 
fered Himself as a sin-offering. He has paid the 
price of human redemption. He has voluntarily died 
in man's stead. He has made an atonement for the 
sins of the world, and man is now able to repent and 
live. Since the voice of the suffering, dying Son 
of God cried out upon the cross, "It is finished!" 



196 The Life oe Faith. 

salvation has been provided for man, and he can 
now by faith sing: 

" There is a fountain filled with blood 
Drawn from ItnmanuePs veins ; 
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, 
Lose all their guilty stains." 

While the believing penitent finds pardon and 
peace by believing in Jesus, who loved him and gave 
Himself for him; while the Christian rejoices in 
the cleansing power of His shed blood, Infidelity 
stands at the door making every possible effort to 
turn away the heart from this loving Savior. It 
scornfully says to the Christian, "You trust in One 
for an inheritance who was so poor that He had 
no home of His own." But the Christian, without 
a blush of shame, replies, "It is true that Jesus was 
poor, and had not where to lay His head; but He 
voluntarily became poor that through His poverty 
I might be made rich." Again, Infidelity deridingly 
says : "You accept of Jesus as your King, and yet 
the crown He wore was made of thorns, and placed 
on His head by the hands of a mob. What power 
has He to defend and protect you ?" But the Chris- 
tian replies, "It is true that Jesus wore a crown 
of thorns, one that was placed on His head 
by the hands of His enemies; but He will- 
ingly wore that rough crown that pierced 
His brow that He might gain for me a 
crown of immortality and eternal life." Infidelity 
tauntingly derides the Christian for trusting in 



Not Ashamed of the Gospel. 197 

Jesus for blessings in this life and triumph over 
death, who was Himself overcome by death. But 
the Christian is not ashamed to reply, "It is true 
that Jesus died, that He died the ignominious death 
of the cross ; but He died voluntarily to obtain par- 
don and peace and life for me." Infidelity asks, 
"How can you trust in Jesus as one that is able to 
save from the guilt and effects of sin, who was 
Himself wrapped in grave clothes and laid in the 
tomb?" But the Christian answers: "It is true 
Jesus' body was laid in the sepulcher ; but His stay 
there was very brief. When He had perfumed the 
grave where His saints should sleep, He conquered 
death, He arose in triumph from the dead, and 
brought the resurrection to light." After all the 
sneers and taunts of Infidelity are passed, the Chris- 
tian, with a glad heart and a countenance radiant 
with joy, is still ready to say, "I am not ashamed of 
the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto 
salvation." 

IV. In the Gospel is Power Sufficient to Save 
The World. It affords salvation "to every one 
that believeth." 

The work of lifting a fallen race is one of vast 
magnitude. To impart to man a new heart and a 
new nature, and to enable him to live a new life, 
exceeds the possibilities of human genius and 
human power. To remove the burden of guilt from 
a single soul, to lift him from the degradations of 
sin and develop in him a holy manhood, demands 



198 The LiEe of Faith. 

power Divine. That same Power that created the 
heavens and earth is needed to make him a new 
man. That same Power that fashioned the universe 
and controls its forces is required to purify his 
heart and to inspire his affections. That same 
Power that can release the earth from the icy grasp 
of winter and impart to it the life and growth of 
springtime, is necessary to arouse man from spirit- 
ual death to spiritual life. The Gospel comes with 
this power of God unto salvation, and has always 
proven successful. Saul of Tarsus, a bigoted Jew, 
a ceremonial Pharisee, a persecutor of the disciples 
of Jesus, fell prostrate before that power, and was 
wholly changed in heart and thought and life. The 
proud and cruel and guilty was made humble and 
gentle and loving. The leader in persecuting God's 
people became an active and earnest instrument in 
building up the Church. The Gospel has been 
efficient in power to save both Jew and Gentile. It 
has lighted up the dark valleys of Paganism ; it has 
overturned idols of wood and stone, and led heathen 
tribes to the shrines of the true God ; it has broken 
the bonds of slave and serf, and made men free ; it 
has promulgated righteous laws, and peace, and 
prosperity among the nations ; it has added luster 
to the coronets of princes, and made the light to 
shine in the homes of peasants; it has builded 
schoolhouses and colleges for mental culture, and 
provided asylums for the weak and the unfortunate ; 
it has promoted a higher civilization among peoples 
and nations ; and it has proven a fountain of joy to 



Not Ashamed of the Gospei*. 199 

the sad, a healing- balm to the suffering, an inspirer 
of hope to the dying. Like a mighty lever, as it is, 
placed beneath the earth, it is lifting the world up to 
God, to holiness and to heaven. Who would be 
ashamed of such a glorious Gospel? Who would 
blush to acknowledge its precious influence? Who 
would not, at all times and in all places, testify to 
its saving power ? 

An incident narrated in my presence when but 
a boy led me to make the language of the text the 
motto of my life. A family, composed of father, 
mother, and an only daughter, lived in the eastern 
part of our country. They were quite wealthy, 
moved in the higher circles of society, but were 
skeptical in regard to the Christian religion. The 
Bible occupied no place in the family circle, and 
prayer and praise to God were not heard in their 
home. The daughter, the idol of her parents, was 
brought up to seek her greatest happiness in scenes 
of festivity and rounds of gay and worldly pleasure. 
To secure a finished education she was sent to a 
school in a neighboring city. One day, as she re- 
turned from recitation, she passed the door of a 
house of worship in which a revival of religion was 
in progress. Curiosity led her to enter the Church. 
The scene before her was novel and impressive. 
The earnest prayers offered, the fervent words of 
exhortation, and the songs of praise arrested her 
thoughts ; and the acceptance of offers of mercy by 
some of her classmates touched her heart. She, too, 
was soon found among those who were pleading 



aoo The Life oe Faith. 

for pardon. It was not long before she rejoiced in 
forgiving grace and was very happy in her new ex- 
perience. She hastened to write to her parents to 
tell them the good news. The letter was received, 
but instead of being a message of joy to their hearts, 
it was one of surprise and sadness. They felt that 
Mary's profession of religion would be her ruin and 
their disgrace in the eyes of their fashionable asso- 
ciates. She was immediately called home, her griev- 
ous step was pointed out, and her parents most 
earnestly urged her to give up all thought of being 
a Christian. Her warm love for her parents was 
only intensified by her love of Christ; but to their 
urgent pleadings she meekly replied that she could 
not deny her loving Savior or turn from His joy- 
ful service. As a last effort her parents invited her 
former gay companions to spend with her an even- 
ing in social festivities, hoping by their influence to 
lead her to give up her religious profession. Her 
young friends came with joyful greetings, and en- 
tered with gayety into the revelry and amusement 
of other days. When her father saw the good cheer 
that characterized every word and act of his daugh- 
ter, and the happy smile that played upon her coun- 
tenance, he thought he had fully accomplished the 
purpose he desired. He requested her to perform 
on the instrument of music some wild melody, as she 
had formerly done, and sing for the entertainment 
of the happy company. Without any hesitation, 
she went forward, and as she took her place at the 
piano her father's heart was filled with delight. But 



Not Ashamed of the Gospel. 201 

as she touched the keys of the instrument a cloud of 
disappointment overshadowed his face. The notes 
that fell upon his ear were those of a sacred tune 
instead of the wild melody she had played in other 
days. Accompanying the music with a sweet and 
tender voice she sang : 

" No room for mirth or trifling here, 
For worldly hope, or worldly fear, 

If life so soon is gone ; 
If now the Judge stands at the door, 
And all mankind must stand before 

The inexorable throne ! " 

Surprise and dismay were manifest on every 
countenance. Some of the young company hastily 
left the room. But more earnestly and tenderly she 
sang on: 

" No matter which my thoughts employ, 
A moment's misery or joy ; 

But O, when both shall end, 
Where shall I find my destined place ? 
Shall I my everlasting days 

W ith fiends or angels spend ? 

Jesus, vouchsafe a pitying ray ; 

Be Thou my guide, be Thou my way 

To endless happiness ; 
Ah ! write Thy pardon on my heart, 
And whenso'er I hence depart, 

Let me depart in peace." 

As the last words fell from her lips and the last 
notes died away, she turned from the instrument 



202 The Life of Paith. 

with moistened eyes and loving mien. Her father 
and mother were weeping by her side, and many of 
her young friends were shedding tears. It was not 
long before her parents made profession of the same 
religion that she professed, and became earnest and 
faithful Christians. Many of her young associates 
experienced the same peace and joy that she had 
experienced, and walked with her in the same glad 
way. In the hour of greatest trial she was "not 
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." 

Christian, always hold aloft your banner, un- 
furled to the breeze, bearing upon its folds your 
motto, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." 
Young men and maidens, old and young, rich and 
poor, let the words of the apostle be the language of 
your heart always : "I am not ashamed of the Gos- 
pel of Christ ; for it is the power of God unto salva- 
tion to every one that believeth." 



XII. 

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His right- 
eousness; and all these things shall be added 
unto you." — Matt, vi, 33. 

Jesus knew the hearts of men. As they listened 
to His teaching He perceived their inmost thoughts 
and anxieties. He saw how they were troubled 
about the things of this life. What shall we eat, or 
what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be 
clothed ? were questions that constantly caused them 
to worry. Fears were continually arising that to- 
morrow would come and find them in want. He 
reproves them for this great anxiety of mind about 
supplies of temporal benefits ; He refers to the fowls 
of the air, that neither sow, nor reap, nor gather 
into barns, yet God feedeth them; and to the lilies 
of the field, that neither toil nor spin, and yet are 
arrayed in more beautiful raiment than kings put 
on. He assures them that their Heavenly Father 
knoweth what they need. They should cease their 
great anxiety about things of this life, and "seek 
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and 
all these things should be added unto them." 

The term kingdom of God is sometimes applied 
203 



204 The Life oe Faith. 

in Scripture to His universal empire and dominion 
over all creatures ; sometimes it is employed to des- 
ignate the Gospel dispensation, but as used in 
the text it doubtless means the work of 
grace in the believing heart, the forgiveness 
of sin and adoption into God's family. The 
term "His righteousness" can not mean the 
absolute righteousness of God, for that is not 
attainable by man ; but rather the entire cleansing of 
man's heart or that "holiness without which no man 
shall see the Lord." Pardon for sin, adoption into 
God's family, and purity of heart are therefore pre- 
sented as that which man should possess. Includ- 
ing all this work of grace in man's heart under the 
term "the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ," we 
may read the text, "Seek ye first the religion of 
Christ; and all these things shall be added unto 
you." 

I. The Duty Presented : Seek the religion of the 

Lord Jesus Christ. 

God has provided salvation for man by the gift 
of His Son, He has sent the Holy Spirit to apply 
saving grace to the believing heart. He has prom- 
ised rich and glorious rewards to those who accept 
of this salvation. But after all His gracious pro- 
visions, after He has shown His intense desire that 
man might be saved, the responsibility for the re- 
sults is laid at man's door. Salvation is possible, 
but the eyes must be opened to behold its bright- 
ness, the heart must be willing to accept of its joys. 



Seek Ye First the Kingdom oe God. 205 

The supplies of grace are in abundance, but man 
must make application for them at God's store- 
house. Hence the earnest words of the Savior, 
"Seek ye the kingdom of God and His righteous- 
ness." 

But, you ask me, why should I seek religion? 
To do so requires sacrifice, a forsaking of sin, the 
giving up of sinful pleasure, the subduing of sinful 
passions, and the casting out of sinful pride. Why 
should I make such a sacrifice? To do so also de- 
mands a life of religious consecration, a faithful 
performance of religious duty, a constant devotion 
to religious service. Why should I take upon me 
the bearing of such a burden ? It must be admitted 
that to be a follower of Christ requires one to make 
sacrifices and to bear crosses ; and if no good reason 
can be found for assuming such duties, man as a 
moral being may well refuse to submit to such de- 
mands. But if the reasons are many and weighty, 
if there are incentives presented strong and con- 
vincing, then there should be a ready acquiescence 
with the invitation, and every one should earnestly 
seek the religion of Christ. Reasons sufficient are 
afforded to incite to decisive action. 

1. The possession of this religion is necessary 
in order that we may be able to obey the commands 
of God. All admit that it is the duty of man to obey 
God's commands; that whatever precepts He has 
given should be faithfully performed. Men may 
differ in their belief and opinions as to what are 
God's commands. But let any law bear the seal 



206 The; Life of Faith. 

of the Divine hand, whether it is written in the book 
of nature or in the book of Revelation, then every 
one but an Atheist will hold that it should be obeyed. 
To do this, we claim, there is necessary the en- 
abling power of the religion of Christ. Without 
that help, man must fail. Take, as an illustration, 
the duty to love God. This duty is expressly given 
in His Word : "Thou shalt love God with thy whole 
heart." Not only is this command made known in 
the Bible, it may be clearly inferred from the dic- 
tates of reason. If we have been created by Him, 
if His blessings are continually showered upon us; 
if day and night, if seed time and harvest, are the 
results of laws which He has established, then the 
conclusion is clear that we should love Him. Not 
only does the Christian accept this law of love as 
obligatory ; so also does the skeptic, who only wor- 
ships God at the shrines of nature. Now, can the 
natural man obey this law? Paul says the "carnal 
mind is enmity to God ; it is not subject to His law, 
neither indeed can be." The carnal mind, man in 
his natural condition, "is enmity," not only at en- 
mity, but possessing in his heart enmity itself to 
God, hatred to the Divine Being, and it can not 
obey His law. The teachings of nature attest the 
same fact. The conduct, the words, and the acts 
of men around us indicate very clearly a want of 
reverence for God. Our own consciousness gives 
proof that the natural man does not love God. The 
carnal mind denies His authority. The heart un- 
saved possesses an inborn hatred to things holy. 



Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. 207 

Our wills rebel against Divine control. Enmity to 
God and His law is the native condition of the 
human heart. In order, therefore, that we may 
obey God's law and love Him, our hearts must be 
changed. But how shall that change be made ? No 
fountain of earth, though its waters be as clear as 
crystal, sends forth a stream that can purify the 
heart, or wash away its enmity. The lessons of 
human philosophy and the pages of scientific truth 
fail to present a formula by which to develop in 
man's soul love for God. The schools of the world 
can devise no course of study that will educate a 
mind that is enmity to be a mind that is love. A 
change is necessary. "Ye must be born again." 
And that change is only found at the cross of 
Christ ; that change is only wrought by the Spirit of 
God ; that change is only promised by the religion 
of the Lord Jesus Christ. "If any man be in Christ, 
he is a new creature ; old things are passed away, 
and all things have become new;" and in that new 
creation is love for God, and power given to obey 
His commands. 

2. Upon the possession of the religion of Christ 
depend the most important interests of man. Its 
possession proves a safeguard against the evils of 
this world. Temptation to commit sin is met at al- 
most every step of life. Allurements to the paths 
of wickedness are addressed to every heart. The 
siren voice of sinful pleasure speaks invitingly to 
every ear. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, 
the lust of the mind, lead only in the way of dan- 



208 The Life of Faith. 

ger. Pitfalls of iniquity abound on every hand. 
Evil habits are ready to bind man as a slave to evil- 
doing. For safety he needs the constant guidance 
of the Spirit of truth and the sustaining power of 
the grace of God. These are only afforded him by 
the religion of Christ. Its possession insures 
triumph in the last conflict. All men are mortal. 
Each one is awaiting the closing of the day. When 
the shadows of night begin to fall about us, earthly 
fountains will fail to afford any stream of joy. 
Riches and honors will not be able to dispel the 
darkness of that hour, nor can earthly genius ex- 
tract the sting of death. All the light that this 
world can give will not cast one ray across the dark 
valley. Only in the Christian religion can be found 
peace and hope and triumph in that last conflict. It 
alone can give solace in the hour of death; it alone 
can soften the dying pillow. Without it, life goes 
out in hopeless darkness ; but with it, the soul re- 
news its vigor and strength, and is crowned with 
immortality. 

Its possession is a sure title to happiness in the 
life to come, All that we know of the future world 
is what is revealed to us in the Bible. We learn 
there the final destiny of the just and the unjust. 
For the wicked is reserved banishment from the 
presence of God and from the glory of His power. 
To the righteous are given promises of mansions 
in glory, crowns that will not fade, and life that is 
eternal. The gaining of that happy land, the re- 
ceiving of those glorious rewards, as well as the 



Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. 209 

shunning of a world of woe, depend upon the pos- 
session of the religion of Christ. Why should one 
seek this religion? Man's greatest interests in this 
life and in the life to come; reasons as high as 
heaven and as deep as hell; incentives unmeasured 
by time and lasting as eternity, — all urge him to 
"seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness." 

II. The Words of the Savior Present This as 
Man's First Duty. "Seek ye first the kingdom 
of God and His righteousness/' 
You will find very few persons who do not ad- 
mit the inportance of seeking religion. They be- 
lieve that its possession is necessary for future hap- 
piness ; and their intention is, before the close of life, 
to give to its requirements serious thought. They 
do not aim to meet death or enter eternity without 
such preparation. They intend to seek the religion 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, but not now. When they 
get older; when they accumulate more property; 
when they have attained to higher positions of 
honor; when they have enjoyed for a time the 
rounds of worldly pleasure ; when plans of business 
have been more fully accomplished ; after awhile, — 
they will turn their thoughts to religion. But the 
Great Teacher rebukes this spirit of procrastination, 
and calls for immediate action. Religion is to be 
given the foremost place in our thoughts and de- 
sires. It is to be preferred to all other things. It 
is to be earnestly sought for before the days of 
youth are gone; before business plans have been 
14 



2io The Life of Faith. 

made ; before wealth or honor have been acquired ; 
even before beginning to labor for food and raiment, 
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His right- 
eousness." 

I. One substantial reason is presented in the 
text: "All these things shall be added unto you." 
Its possession will aid in obtaining those things 
which are needful in this life. Jesus, in these words, 
does not promise His followers large worldly pos- 
sessions. He does not say that religion will make 
a man a millionaire, or insure him a palace in which 
to dwell. He does not say that it will array him 
in the robe of a prince or place on his head the 
crown of a king. "These things shall be added unto 
you;" things necessary for the sustenance of life. 
The religion of the Gospel will prevent the worry 
of heart and anxiety of mind for food and raiment. 
It will insure the watch-care and blessings of your 
Heavenly Father, who feeds the fowls of the air 
and paints the lily of the field. It will prove a cer- 
tain title to what is necessary to sustain life. 

You may ask, How will religion affect the sup- 
plies of temporal good? How does it insure its 
possessor food and clothing? How shall "these 
things be added unto you ?" 

In the first place it imparts the principles of in- 
dustry and economy. Any man, possessed of a 
sound mind and a sound body, practicing upon these 
principles, will seldom fail to have bread and ap- 
parel. The precepts of the Christian religion make 
a man economical. Sin is wasteful, ginful habits 



Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. 211 

are extravagant. The indulgence of sinful appe- 
tites or unholy lusts is expensive. The gratification 
of impure desires and the pursuit of worldly pleas- 
ure require large outlays of funds. The prodigal 
son wastes his substance in riotous living. A young 
man soon squanders his fortune with drink, with 
cards, or by other sinful indulgences. Loose rein 
given to unbridled lust soon ends in poverty. The 
religion of Christ restrains from evil habits, curbs 
the wanton desires of the human heart, and pre- 
vents the outlay for sin's expensive demands. It 
is saving of health, it is economical of expenditure, 
and it leads man to appreciate the value of temporal 
mercies. Again, this religion encourages a spirit 
of industry. It wakens up man's nobler ambition 
and imparts energy and activity to body and mind. 
The truly religious man is an industrious man. You 
may say: "That certainly can not be so. Such a 
statement is incorrect. Religion must fail in mak- 
ing its possessor industrious, for that neighbor of 
mine is very religious, but he is the laziest man in 
all the community." There must be some mistake 
about this case. Either your neighbor is not lazy, 
or else he is not a Christian. For when religion 
gets into the heart it drives laziness out; when lazi- 
ness gets into the heart it drives religion out. The 
two can not dwell together in the same heart, no 
more than light and darkness can dwell together 
in the same room. The Word of God enjoins the 
improvement of the time. It impressively com- 
mands, "Whatsoever thy hand fmdeth to do, do it 



212 The L,i£e otf Faith. 

with thy might/' It holds all to strict accounta- 
bility for the improvement of every passing moment. 
The religion of Christ inspires a spirit of industry 
and economy. Now, if a man, with healthy body 
and right mind, be industrious and economical, he 
will not starve for want of bread or perish for want 
of clothing. Engaged in any worthy occupation in 
life, if he is industrious and economical, "these 
things will be added unto him." If he be only a 
sawer of wood he will have bread to eat and rai- 
ment to put on. Religion will help in business. A 
large stock of it always on hand will increase the 
comforts of life. It is of great commercial value 
to every man. 

It also provides help in time of need. Take that 
man whose physical powers are weakened by dis- 
ease. He is too feeble to work, and his income has 
ceased. He is a deeply pious man and well known 
for his upright character. How can the promise be 
verified in his case, you may ask, and all "these 
things be added unto him?" How can his wants be 
met? It may truly be said, the promise will not 
fail. Though he can not gain a livelihood by his 
own hands, he will not be permitted to suffer. Every 
Christian heart in his neighborhood will sympathize 
with him. Every Christian hand will be open to 
supply his necessities; and the large-hearted men 
of the world, those who are not professed Chris- 
tians, will come, saying, "This is a good man; he 
is a worthy man ; he must not be left without help." 
They, too, will readily assist in meeting his wants. 



Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. 213 

He will not be permitted to starve for food or per- 
ish with the cold for want of raiment. "These things 
will be added to him." 

But you may select an extreme case. Take that 
pious, earnest Christian man aboard some vessel on 
the high seas. The vessel is driven by the storm 
upon breakers, is fearfully wrecked, and he is cast 
ashore on some desert land. You ask, How could this 
promise then be fulfilled ? I would candidly answer 
that I can not tell just how God would take care of 
one of His faithful children in such dire extremity. 
Yet we know he would not be forgotten. Many 
years ago, when consuming drouth caused fearful 
famine in the land of Israel, the prophet of God 
took refuge in the rocky hillside where there was 
no food. But he was not permitted to starve. God 
commanded the ravens to carry bread to him each 
day until the famine ended. To this faithful one 
on the barren shore God might send bread by swift- 
winged birds, or provide for him in a thousand 
other ways. Anyhow the Divine watch-care would 
be over him till his life-work was done; and then 
a convoy of angels would be commissioned to bear 
him on high to that land where the inhabitants 
never hunger any more, nor thirst any more. 

2. Again, we should seek religion first, because 
it is of more value than anything else. We need 
not depreciate the value of earthly things. All the 
blessings God bestows should be highly prized. 
Has he given you a cheerful home and loving 
friends? Has he intrusted you with large wealth 



214 The Li^s of Faith. 

or great honor ? Has He endowed you with strong 
intellectual powers or a brilliant genius? Has He 
surrounded you with all the earthly comforts that 
heart could wish? Your bosom should swell with 
gratitude, and each blessing should be esteemed at 
its highest value. But placing the highest estimate 
possible upon earthly benefits; putting them all in 
the scale, the religion of the Gospel outweighs them 
all. It is of the greatest value; it should be sought 
for first. It gives more peace and joy to the heart 
in health or in sickness than all else can afford. It 
imparts brighter hopes in sorrow and separations. 
It lights up our skies when our sun is going down. 
It takes away the sting of death, and gives victory 
over the grave. When we have to give up all of 
earthly good; when we have to lay aside the gold, 
the lands, the associations, the homes of this world ; 
when we have to bid farewell to all our earthly 
friends and go down into the dark valley bereft and 
alone, this religion will still be ours to sustain and 
give comfort. It will afford us an abundant en- 
trance into the Paradise of God, and an inheritance 
that is incorruptible and that passeth not away. 

3. We should seek religion first, because life is 
uncertain. If it be of so great value, and if this life, 
the time for obtaining it, is uncertain, how impor- 
tant that it should engage our first thoughts and 
employ our first efforts! The uncertainty of life, 
you may reply, is the plea that always comes from 
the preacher to arouse man's fear. But is it not true 
that life is uncertain ? Is it not a fact that we have 



Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. 215 

no certain length of days to live ? The present only 
is ours; we have no title-deed to the months or 
years to come. We may lay plans for a long life; 
we may build castles in the air which we expect to 
occupy in the future; we may, in our visions, look 
for pleasures and wealth and honors to come; but 
often, before our dreams are ended, the summons 
falls upon our ears and life ends. Seldom does a 
day dawn that does not pass away with the tolling 
of the funeral bell. Scarcely a family circle can be 
found but has in it a vacant chair. Few pass by 
you in the walks of life who do not wear the weeds 
of mourning. All these tell us in words of deepest 
solemnity, "Human life is uncertain." The hills and 
valleys are dotted over with graveyards, and every 
tombstone repeats, "Human life is uncertain." As 
you walk along the paths of the cemetery and note 
on the gravestone the name of one who lived to be 
fourscore years of age or more, you may say, "See 
here, this man lived to a good old age, and yet you 
say human life is uncertain." Yes, this is the grave 
of a man full of years. But to the right of that old 
man's grave sleeps the body of a bright young man 
who was just entering upon the busy work of life 
when disease touched his sprightly form and he lay 
down to die. On the other side of that old man's 
grave is that of a girl who was just blushing into 
womanhood, when the rose faded from her cheek 
and she closed her eyes in death. And right at the 
foot of that old man's grave is a little mound, the 
sleeping-place of a prattling child. It had just 



ai6 The Life of Faith. 

smiled up into its loving mother's face, and then, 
like a fragile flower, faded away and fell to the 
earth. Every grave, every tombstone, every tolling 
bell, every vacant chair, every weed of mourning, 
every tear that falls from the orphan's eye, every 
sigh that escapes from the parents' bosom, — all, in 
one sad yet harmonious strain, tell us "human life 
is uncertain." And O! if life so soon may end, 
how important that we be ready ! If the summons 
may come at noonday or midnight, how important 
it is that we have our lamps trimmed and our lights 
burning ! If at any hour the Bridegroom may come, 
how important it is that we have on the wedding 
garment, that we may go in with him to the mar- 
riage supper. Life and death, things present and 
things to come, time and eternity, join in the wise, 
the timely, the tender words of Jesus, saying, "Seek 
ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." 
Possessing in our hearts the blessed hope which 
the Gospel inspires, it matters not when the Master 
may call for us. We need not fear. From the pos- 
session of this precious religion on earth we shall go 
to its richer enjoyment in heaven. 



XIII. 

EDOiM'S CONQUEROR. 

"Who is this that Cometh from Bdom, with dyed 
garments from Bozrahf this that is glorious 
in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his 
strength f I that speak in righteousness, mighty 
to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine ap- 
parel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in 
the wine fat? I have trodden the winepress 
alone; and of the people there was none with 
me, for I will tread them in mine anger, and 
trample them in my fury; and their blood shall 
be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will slain 
all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in 
mine heart, and the year of my redeemed has 
come." — Isa. uan, 1-4. 

Object lessons are frequently employed in the 
Old Testament Scriptures in presenting Divine 
truth. God made revelations to man in types, in 
symbols, and in visions. By such means He de- 
clared His will, gave assurance of blessings, and 
foretold the plan provided for the salvation of the 
world. The ladder which Jacob saw in his night 
visions, on which the angels were seen ascending 
and descending, was a promise of God's watch- 
217 



2i8 The Life of Eaith. 

care over him in his future journeys. Moses beheld 
in the burning bush on the mountain side an em- 
blem of Israel in great trouble, but unconsumed. 
The sacrifices offered on the altars of the taber- 
nacle in the wilderness and of the temple on Mount 
Moriah were types of that greater sacrifice to be 
offered, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the 
world. In the figurative language of the text we 
have presented one of these most impressive and 
interesting object lessons. 

The prophet, having ascended the mount of in- 
spiration and looking towards the south, beholds 
one advancing from the land of Edom. His ap- 
pearance is that of a prince marching forth in 
triumph. In his wonder Isaiah cries out, "Who is 
this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments 
from Bozrah?" The voice of the oncoming hero 
answers in the distance, "I that speak in righteous- 
ness, mighty to save." As he draws nearer the 
prophet inquires, "Wherefore art thou red in thine 
apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in 
the winefat?" The tender, yet impressive, reply is 
made, "I have trodden the winepress alone, and of 
the people there was none with me." And upon 
the ear of the enraptured prophet, as the vision un- 
folds before his gaze, falls the earnest words of the 
Hero: "I will tread them in mine anger, and 
trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be 
sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all 
my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine 
heart, and the year of my redeemed has come." 



Edom's Conqueror. 219 

The inquiry naturally arises, To whom does this 
vision of Isaiah refer? Who is this that cometh 
from Edom? This prophecy has been interpreted 
by some writers as referring to one of the illus- 
trious Jewish generals, who led forth their armies 
to victory over their enemies. Some have consid- 
ered it a prophecy of the successes of John Hyr- 
canus; others have applied it to Judas Maccabaeus 
or some other of the leaders of the Jews. But as 
successful as were these generals in overcoming 
their enemies, none of them in character or deeds 
can be identified with the Hero of Isaiah's vision. 
Here is a nobility of person, here is a battle waged, 
here is a victory gained, that indicate One greater 
than mere man. The Hero of whom Isaiah speaks 
was evidently Divine as well as human. The vision 
is doubtless a prophecy of Jesus the Christ, of the 
battle he waged against sin, and of the victory he 
obtained in behalf of man. 

The land of Edom was inhabited by the bitter 
enemies of Israel. Bozrah was its chief city. These 
are used as types of the world possessed by the foes 
of truth and righteousness. The severe battle 
waged in the conquest of Edom, and the overthrow 
of Bozrah, refers to the fearful conflict in which 
Jesus engaged in providing redemption for man and 
His complete triumph over the forces of evil. He 
came into the world where sin reigned supreme; 
He engaged in mortal combat with the powers of 
unrighteousness; He attacked the strongholds of 
iniquity ; He broke down the stone walls of Bozrah, 



220 The Life of Faith. 

and though His body was severely wounded and 
His garments stained with blood, He triumphed 
gloriously, having taken vengeance on His enemies 
and brought redemption to His people. The Divine 
character of the Hero seen in the vision of the 
prophet, the intense suffering indicated, and the 
glorious triumph won, are fulfilled in the person 
and work of Jesus the Christ, the Savior of men. 
To Him the prophecy impressively directs our 
thoughts. 

I. His Exalted Character is Declared: "Glo- 
rious in apparel, traveling in the greatness of 
His strength, mighty to save." 
The prophet is excited to wonder and admira- 
tion by the appearance of the Hero in the vision. 
Looking through the mists about him by the aid of 
inspiration, he beholds the Son of God clad in all 
His glorious attributes, coming from the scene of 
conflict and suffering where He has obtained re- 
demption for His people. With the prophet we also, 
by faith, may look upon Him "who loved us and 
gave Himself for us," and rejoice in the great sal- 
vation He has provided. 

I. He is perfectly holy — "glorious in His ap- 
parel." The purity of His character and nature is 
indicated in these words. Sacred and profane writ- 
ers very often speak of the raiment put on as de- 
scriptive of the character of the person. The base 
and groveling are presented as dressed in coarse and 
soiled garments; the cruel and vicious as wearing 



Edom's Conqueror. 221 

clothes that are uncouth and forbidding; the up- 
right and good as having on neat and beautiful rai- 
ment. We are very much accustomed to use the 
same figure of speech in forming our judgment of 
men. Our first opinion of a stranger is obtained 
from his outward appearance ; we are apt to judge 
him by the clothes he wears. If we meet one clad 
in a rough blanket after the style of a savage, we 
conclude that he is a savage, and are inclined to 
shun his presence. If he is attired in exceedingly 
showy raiment, and decked with an unusual amount 
of gaudy ornaments, we pronounce him a "dude." 
But when a man appears in neat and appropriate 
clothing, though a stranger, he is received with 
respect and confidence. In some portions of the 
country the idea once prevailed that an unshaven 
face was characteristic of a gambler, a thief, or 
some other evil doer, and children would run af- 
frighted from the presence of a man with a long 
beard. The times and fashions have now so 
changed that these fears are allayed, and the man 
with heavy beard is received into the best of society. 
Yet the outward appearance of the man, the kind 
of raiment he wears, go far in the mind in forming 
an estimate of his character. 

The Hero of Isaiah's vision is "glorious in his 
apparel! He is characterized by purity of life and 
nobility of nature. He is arrayed in garments of 
holiness, and his robe bears the stamp of royalty. 
We have here a true prophecy of the character of 
Christ Jesus the Lord. He lived a holy life. His 



222 The Life of Faith. 

words were always marked with purity. There was 
no guile found upon His lips ; there was no blemish 
discovered in any of His works. His life was with- 
out sin. He was gentle and forgiving ; He was full 
of sympathy for the sorrowing and of charity for 
the poor ; He was jealous for the right, a teacher of 
the truth, and He ever went about doing good. No 
one of the great multitudes that thronged His way 
could point to any act of wrong-doing by Him. The 
Jews failed to find any one to testify against Him 
when He was arraigned before Pilate. After in- 
vestigating all the charges which they alleged 
against Him, the Roman judge plainly said to them, 
"I find no fault in this man." The words that He 
had spoken, the doctrines that He had preached, 
and the works that He had performed, remained un- 
impeached by any witness, though His enemies 
made every effort to have Him condemned. He 
was "glorious in His apparel," and so His life and 
character stand before the world to-day. In all 
the passing centuries, unbelief, in its bitter and act- 
ive opposition to Christianity, has been unable to 
find any blemish in His character. The chief of 
infidel writers, after employing his ready pen and 
large intellectual powers in opposition to the Chris- 
tian religion and in denial of the Sonship of Christ 
and the saving power of His grace, after admitting 
the beauty of the life of Jesus and the purity of His 
character, makes this remarkable declaration in re- 
gard to His death: "Socrates died like a philoso- 
pher, but Jesus Christ like a God." Our blessed 



Edom's Conqueror. 223 

Savior was "glorious in His apparel." Tempted as 
we are, He was without sin; holiness shone forth 
from His person, and righteousness mantled His 
whole being. His life was effulgent with Divine 
purity, and His character was truly that of the 
Son of God. 

2. He was Divine. The prophet in his vision 
beholds this Hero "traveling in the greatness 
of His strength." These words may be rendered 
"traveling in the greatness of His own strength." 
All creature strength is derived strength. The 
power by which man thinks and speaks and acts is 
imparted power. Man often imagines that it is by 
his own unaided strength that he performs the 
works of life. The little child, after it has for the 
first time walked across the nursery floor, by its 
proud bearing seems to say, "I did that by my own 
power." The athletic youth boasts of the strength 
of his bone and sinew and muscle as self-derived. 
The mature man is proud of his physical powers 
and mental acumen, and claims all these as func- 
tions of his own creation. The general of an army 
ascribes his victories to his own wisely-laid plans; 
the discoverer of scientific truths claims these as 
wonders he has wrought out; and the successful 
man of business points to his gain of wealth as the 
result of his own devising, as the creations of his 
own genius. Yet all human strength is derived 
strength. "In God we live, and move, and have our 
being." He supports us by His hand when we 
walk ; He gives us muscle and sinew and bone ; He 



224 The Life oe Faith. 

endows us with minds for reasoning, for invention, 
and for meditation ; He imparts to us every breath 
we draw and every beating pulse we tell. If He 
for a moment withdrew His supporting hand from 
beneath the violator of His laws, that sinful man 
would sink down utterly overwhelmed. All our 
strength is from God. But the Hero of Isaiah's 
vision comes from Edom, "traveling in the greatness 
of His own strength." The power He exercises is 
underived, the scepter He wields is Divine. The 
life and works of Jesus attest the truthfulness of 
this prophecy, and give full proof of His Divine 
Sonship. He taught with authority, and not as man 
teaches ; He healed the leper who sought to be made 
whole ; He opened the eyes of the blind man by the 
roadside ; He made the deaf to hear and the dumb 
to speak; He calmed the storm-tossed sea by His 
simple command; at His word the dead arose to 
life again ; He came in truth the Son of God, wield- 
ing a Divine scepter, "traveling in the greatness of 
His own strength." 

3. He gives earnest warnings against sin: "I 
that speak in righteousness." He appears as the 
announcer of the righteousness of the Divine law 
and the upholder of the justice of the Divine gov- 
ernment. Jesus came into the world on an errand 
of mercy. His mission was to save sinners, to set 
free those who were guilty and under condemna- 
tion. But He does not accomplish this by abrogat- 
ing the law. He says, "Not one jot or tittle shall 
pass from the law till all be fulfilled." He makes 



Edom's Conqueror. 225 

no effort to prevent the execution of the penalty of 
violated law, nor does He encourage sin by deny- 
ing the claims of justice upon the sinner. He 
teaches that the law is right and the penalty is just. 
He holds that iniquity is evil, and that guilt should 
be punished. He does not attempt to conceal the 
terrors of the law or the fearful consequences of 
transgression. By the unrepealed penalty of the 
law against sin He warns the sinner. By the fear- 
ful doom of the finally impenitent He arouses to 
consciousness the spiritually dead. The Gospel 
comes as good news to a fallen race, but it gives 
no encouragement to a life of transgression. 
It is mercy speaking to man, yet it also declares that 
"the soul that sinneth it shall die." The whole plan 
of salvation is a merciful reproof of evil-doing, a 
tender, loving, forcible warning against the viola- 
tion of the Divine law; and to every provision of 
grace, to every promise of salvation, are attached 
the earnest words of warning, "I that speak in right- 
eousness," that, aroused from the sleep of sin, the 
sons of men may wake up to life. 

4. He is "mighty to save." Although He an- 
nounces the righteousness of the law man has vio- 
lated and the justice of the dread penalty which 
man has incurred, yet He is "mighty to save." Man 
had sinned, and was righteously condemned. Jus- 
tice sternly demanded the execution of the penalty. 
In such a condition what could man do to be saved ? 
How could the claims of the law be met and man 
still live ? How could God be just, and yet forgive 
15 



226 The Life of Faith. 

the sinner ? This was a question that human reason 
could not answer; this was a problem that the an- 
gels, though earnestly desiring to look into it, 
could not solve. A sacrifice was necessary, but 
man had no suitable sacrifice to offer. A substi- 
tute for the guilty was required, but who would 
become that substitute ? A propitiation for sin alone 
Could give hope, but where could a propitiation be 
found? Man was guilty. Man was already con- 
demned. Death was the penalty of the broken law, 
and the time for the execution of that penalty was 
at hand. How could guilty man escape? Where 
was help to be obtained? There seemed to be no 
refuge for him. Hope died within him. His soul 
was sinking down into the depths of despair, when, 
lo! there was heard the voice of Immanuel saying, 
"I that speak in righteousness" am "mighty to 
save." 

"With pitying eye the Prince of Peace 

Beheld our helpless grief; 
He saw, and O, amazing love! 

He flew to our relief. " 

He voluntarily becomes our sin-offering and suf- 
fers the penalty of the broken law in our stead. He 
is the propitiation for our sins, and by His death 
He atones for all mankind. In letters of blood He 
solves the problem of man's salvation, and now God 
may be just and yet forgive the sinner. On the 
rugged heights of Calvary He lays the hand of His 
Divinity upon the throne of God, and with the hand 
of His humanity He grasps the world broke loose 



Edom's Conqueror. 227 

and flying away into outer darkness, and uniting 
upon his bosom the links of the chain severed by sin, 
in His passion on the cross, He welds them 
together with His heart's warm blood. Now man 
may look up, for help is found. Now man may go 
free, for the shackles of sin have been broken. Now 
man may rejoice, for a great salvation is provided. 
Jesus has solved the problem of the ages, and re- 
deemed His people from condemnation and death. 
He has laid His mighty arm beneath a sinking 
world, and is able to lift it up to holiness, to heaven, 
and to God. 

II. The Sufferings Endured in Providing Sal- 
vation Were Great. 

The language of the prophecy indicates intense 
suffering : "I have trodden the winepress alone, and 
of the people there were none with me. I will tread 
them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; 
and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my gar- 
ments, and I will stain all my raiment." The weari- 
some arduous work of treading the winepress, the 
severe conflict encountered, and the raiment all 
stained with blood, are expressive of great suffer- 
ing. We may not be able to measure the intensity 
of agony prefigured in these words, or to tell how 
great were the sufferings of Jesus endured in our 
behalf, yet we may study with profit the tragic 
scene and be constrained more earnestly to adore 
Him "who loved us and gave Himself for us." 

I. He suffered in His humiliation. How great 



228 The Life of Faith. 

was the sacrifice He voluntarily made in man's be- 
half! He who had made the worlds; He whose 
scepter swayed the universe; He who was adored 
by angelic hosts; He who abode in the bosom of 
the Father, voluntarily laid aside His scepter, vol- 
untarily put off the crown, voluntarily relinquished 
all the glory He had with the Father before the 
world began, took upon Himself the form of a serv- 
ant, became obedient to the law, that He might 
redeem them that were under the law. He who 
possessed the wealth of the universe voluntarily be- 
came so poor that, while the foxes have holes and 
the birds of the air have nests where they may lay 
their young, the Son of man had not where to lay 
His head. He who is to be man's Judge volun- 
tarily submitted to be persecuted, to be despised, to 
be crucified by man. How deep His humiliation 
that he might become man's Savior ! 

2. He suffered in His rejection by the world. He 
came unto His own, but His own received Him not. 
His mission into the world was one of love for 
man. He came to seek and to save man; to re- 
deem man from the curse of the law ; to rescue man 
from certain death. But all His offers of help were 
rejected, His mission of love was treated with scorn, 
and the only greeting He received was the cruel 
cry of the mob, "Away with Him; crucify Him! 
crucify Him !" Ingratitude was all the return that 
humanity could make, ingratitude that doubtless, 
like a dagger, pierced His heart. 

3. He suffered in the garden and on the cross. 



Edom's Conqueror. 229 

Look upon Jesus yonder in Gethsemane at mid- 
night's gloomy hour. The burden of a world's guilt 
presses heavily upon His bosom. Then, in the bit- 
terness of His agony, He cries out, "My soul is ex- 
ceeding sorrowful even unto death." His heart is 
ready to break with grief. "Being in agony, He 
prayed more earnestly; and His sweat was as it 
were great drops of blood falling down to the 
ground." The intense agony of soul caused the 
bursting of the veins of His body, and the great 
drops of blood to gush forth through the pores of 
the skin. There, at that chilly midnight hour, He 
stains all His raiment with His blood. Look upon 
Him as He hangs on yonder cross. How great the 
suffering which He is called to bear! If a fine 
needle pierces the palm of the hand it causes in- 
tense pain ; but through the hands and feet of Jesus 
not a fine needle, but rough nails were driven with 
a hammer wielded by Roman soldiers. The cross 
to which He was bound was thrust rudely into the 
rocky crevice, and for three long hours He hung in 
agony. But He endured more than physical pain 
and mental anguish. His soul was rent with in- 
tense grief. The withdrawal of the Divinity ex- 
torted from Him the heart-rending cry, "My God, 
my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Having 
drank the full cup of suffering, having measured 
the deepest depths of anguish, having experienced 
the heart-breaking pangs of grief, He bowed His 
head and gave up the ghost. Earth never witnessed 
a scene of greater suffering. How could humanity 



230 The Life of Faith. 

look on unmoved? Who, standing by that cross, 
would not, with loving faith, accept of that Jesus 
as a Savior, and say to all, "Behold the Lamb of 
God that taketh away the sin of the world ?" 

4. He suffered alone. "I have trodden the wine- 
press alone ; and of the people there was none with 
Me." In making a propitiation for the sins of the 
world, neither men nor angels could have afforded 
any help. They were all under law, and to meet 
the demands of that law required the exercise of 
all the powers they possessed. No creature had 
aught with which to pay the price of man's re- 
demption, or was able to make atonement for his 
sin. Jesus alone could accomplish this work. But 
in another sense assistance might have been given. 
When He came unto His own the world might have 
received Him with a glad welcome. While He jour- 
neyed in weariness among men, the world might 
have afforded Him a pillow on which to rest His 
head. While He drank in agony the cup of sorrow 
for man, the world might have given Him its sym- 
pathy and its love. But "of the people there was 
none with him." His disciples forsook Him and 
fled. The Jews bitterly persecuted Him and de- 
manded that He be crucified. The soldiers in mock- 
ery arrayed Him in robes, and placed on His head 
a crown of thorns. The Roman governor unjustly 
signed the decree that put Him to death. The high 
priests passed by the cross, tauntingly wagging their 
heads, and scornfully saying, "He saved others ; let 
Him now save Himself." While enduring the 



Edom'9 Conqueror. 231 

agony upon the cross His lips became parched with 
burning fever, and He cried out, "I thirst." But 
there was no one there to heed His dying cry or 
offer Him a cup of cooling water. He who had re- 
plenished the earth with flowing rivers ; He who had 
caused the sparkling waters to gush forth from 
thousands of bubbling fountains, had to die athirst. 
This cry of Jesus while the blood was trickling 
from His head, His hands, and His feet; while the 
death sweat was gathering in great drops on His 
forehead; while the burden of man's guilt was 
crushing His heart, — this dying cry fell upon no 
friendly ear, and awakened no sympathy in His 
behalf. No loving hand was ready to give Him 
even a cup of water, "of the people there was none 
with Him." Humanity had naught but ingratitude 
to bestow upon the dying Savior; the sinful world 
was devoid of any sympathy. 

III. Yf,t His Triumph Was Compute. 

The Hero of the prophet, though red in His ap- 
parel, though treading the winepress alone, marches 
forth from the field of battle with the step of a con- 
queror and with His banner unfurled. He comes 
forth from the severe conflict having taken venge- 
ance on His enemies and obtained redemption for 
His people. At first there was apparent defeat. The 
disciples were overwhelmed with grief and disap- 
pointment when Jesus was put to death. The Jews 
were delighted with the work they had accom- 
plished, and were careful to roll a great stone to 



232 The Life of Faith. 

the door of the sepulcher, sealing it with the gov- 
ernor's seal to make sure of the final outcome. The 
spirits of evil, no doubt, held high carnival over 
the victory they thought they had won over the 
Son of God. The veil of the temple was rent in 
twain ; the quaking earth gave vent to its throbbings 
of grief; the sun put a veil of mourning over his 
face, and the moon and the stars refused to shine 
when Jesus died. There was no doubt silence in 
heaven when He bowed His head and gave up the 
ghost ; the notes of angel choristers died away, and 
the harps of the heavenly harpers were unstrung. 
But defeat at the death of Christ was only apparent. 
On the third morning hope revived, for the clouds 
were rifted. Bozrah's strong walls had fallen; 
Edom's marshaled hosts had been overcome. Death 
had been disrobed of its terrors, and the forces of 
evil had been vanquished. Jesus arose from the 
grave ; He arose in triumph. Having, by His pres- 
ence among the dead, perfumed the sleeping-place of 
all His saints ; having by His power wrenched from 
the fell-monster the keys of the tomb ; having, with 
strongest cords, bound fast to His chariot wheels 
Death, Hell, and the Grave, He arose in triumph. 
The soldiers who guarded the sepulcher fell to the 
earth as dead men ; the Jews who were His enemies 
were overwhelmed with dismay; the evil spirits, 
stricken with panic, fled back to their native gloom ; 
the sun again shone forth in beauty; the choristers 
of heaven struck anew their harps, and the notes of 
a new song echoed through heaven and earth. The 



Edom's Conqueror. 233 

hearts of the disciples were filled with joy when 
Jesus arose, and the Church started out anew on its 
glorious mission ; for the Captain of their salvation 
had conquered His enemies, and the year of His 
redeemed had come. 

Behold the conquering- Hero, not in the dim 
visions of prophecy, but in glorious reality, as He 
marches forward ! His apparel may be red, and his 
garments like him that treadeth in the winefat, but 
His step is of One who is triumphant, of One who is 
"mighty to save." He marches forward no more to 
suffer, no more to die. The people throng His 
pathway; multitudes enlist under His banner; na- 
tions bow to His sway and trust in His saving 
power. Already He has extended His scepter to 
every continent, to every island, to every clime; al- 
ready is the chorus of His praise heard in every 
land ; and the good time is no doubt coming when 
every heart shall taste His love, and every voice 
proclaim Him King. 

" O that with yonder sacred throng 
We at His feet may fall ! 
We '11 join the everlasting song, 
And crown Him Lord of all." 



XIV. 

INHERITANCE OF GOD'S CHILDREN. 

"If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint 
heirs with Christ." — Rom. viii, 17. 

An inheritance is promised to the children of 
God. It is a rich and glorious inheritance. It is an 
inheritance that is worthy of constant thought and 
constant meditation. The hope of its possession 
should inspire the heart with unceasing joy. We 
prize very highly an earthly inheritance. Whether 
it be one of great value or ever so humble, we look 
forward with pleasure to its real attainment. If it 
consists in broad acres of land, we examine with 
care the title deed, we survey its metes and bounds, 
and we anticipate the rich harvests that it will pro- 
duce for us. If it consists in silver and gold, or in 
stocks and bonds, we impatiently await the day 
when it shall be placed in our control, and the rev- 
enue derived from it may be used for our good. It 
becomes the chief theme of our thoughts and con- 
versation and we spare no effort in obtaining its 
possession. Much more should our thoughts dwell 
upon that heavenly portion promised in the text; 
much greater should be our efforts to gain that in- 

234 



Inheritance oe God's Children. 235 

heritance that is "incorruptible and passeth not 
away." 

In this part of his Epistle the apostle presents the 
progress of a soul from sin unto God. He has al- 
ready spoken of the fearful ruin wrought upon man 
by the fall. He has referred to the deep depravity 
of man's nature and the fearful danger to which he 
is exposed on account of his guilt. He has de- 
scribed the wretchedness of a man awakened to his 
lost condition and made conscious of his condemna- 
tion. He now traces the steps man takes in the 
work of salvation. He speaks of the great joy and 
peace experienced when he believes in Christ and 
his sins are forgiven ; he refers to the new life begun 
when the heart is regenerated and the assurance is 
given him of his adoption into the family of God; 
he dwells upon the power of Divine grace to cleanse 
the soul from all unrighteousness and to fully sus- 
tain it amid life's trials and temptations ; he points 
to the victory over death which the follower of 
Christ shall obtain; but as the climax of all their 
blessed experience he brings prominently to view 
in the text the rich and glorious inheritance prom- 
ised to them : "If children, then heirs ; heirs of God, 
and joint heirs with Christ." 

The theme presented for our meditation is one 
of deepest interest and full of blessed inspiration. 

I. The Characteristics oe God's Children. 

What are they? By what distinguishing marks 
may His children be known ? Who are the heirs to 
this glorious inheritance ? 



236 The Life of Faith. 

The language of the inspired apostle makes this 
question one of vital importance. "If children" im- 
plies that there are those who are the children of 
God, and there are those who are not; that, there- 
fore, not all men are heirs. The Scriptures speak 
of mankind as divided into two classes. Some are 
called the servants of righteousness, and others the 
servants of sin ; some are mentioned as the children 
of God, and others as the children of the wicked one. 
Those who are the children of God are heirs ; those 
who are not the children of God have no claim to 
the promise. The great and important inquiry of 
every heart should therefore be, "Am I a child of 
God ? Have I a part in that rich inheritance ?" 

To determine who are the heirs to an earthly 
possession we examine the last will of the testator. 
In that will the name of the heir must be found or 
his character so described that he may be easily 
identified. Our elder Brother, Jesus Christ, has left 
to us His will. In that will we are to find the dis- 
tinguishing marks of those for whom the inherit- 
ance is provided. None can lawfully lay claim to 
any part of the promised possessions but those who 
bear the characteristics which He prescribes. The 
Holy Scriptures contain the will of Christ, and in 
them we are to find the answer to the question, 
"Who are the children of God? Who are the heirs 
to that inheritance ?" 

1. The first distinguishing mark of the children 
of God is their likeness to Him. The names of the 
heirs are not mentioned in the will of Christ, but 



Inheritance of God's Children. 237 

this "characteristic is distinctly set forth. • The use 
of the term "children" suggests this likeness. Chil- 
dren are always expected to resemble their parents. 
The features of the countenance, the color of the 
eyes or hair, the tone of the voice, the peculiar make 
of the form, the mental and moral faculties, — in 
some or all of these things the child is the image of 
the parent. You always note the likeness of the 
child to its father or mother. Ask that stalwart 
father whose son that boy is walking by his side. 
A little surprised, he will answer: "Why, he is my 
son. His limbs are getting large and stout like my 
limbs. He has red hair, you see, just like my hair. 
He is my son; he looks like me." Ask that young 
mother whose child that baby is that she tenderly 
presses to her bosom. She will answer: "It is my 
child. Look at her blue eyes; see the dim- 
ple in her cheek. She is my child; she 
just looks like me." The question discussed 
around almost every cradle is, "Which does 
the babe resemble most, its father or its mother?" 
A resemblance to the parent is always suggested 
when the term "children" is used. If, then, we 
are the children of God, we are like God. But man 
can not be like God in his physical features, for 
God is a Spirit, without body and material form. 
This likeness must be found in the moral or spirit- 
ual nature of man. But naturally man is spiritually 
or morally unlike God. He is guilty of sin. His 
nature is unholy. His heart is unclean and filled 
with enmity to that which is good and true. In 



238 The Life of Faith. 

order that he may bear the likeness of God his moral 
nature must be changed. How shall he be changed ? 
He can not make of himself a new creature. In 
all the discoveries of science and philosophy he 
finds no power that can purify his moral being. The 
culture of the mind and the development of his 
intellectual faculties will not make his spiritual na- 
ture holy. How can the change be wrought ? Only 
by going to Him who could cleanse the leper, who 
could give sight to the blind, and who could raise 
the dead, can man find One who is able to make of 
him a new creature. When man gives up all sin 
and trusts alone in Him who died for him; when 
his faith rests upon the Suffering One in Geth- 
semane; when he casts himself at the foot of the 
cross on Calvary; when he accepts of Jesus as his 
loving Savior, — it is then the Spirit will apply the 
blood of cleansing to his heart and stamp upon it 
the image of righteousness and true holiness. By 
faith in Christ his moral nature is changed; he re- 
ceives the Divine likeness and becomes a child of 
God. 

2. God's children are recognized by Him. He 
gives to them a conscious evidence of their adoption 
into His family. 

That father who fails to recognize his own son 
possesses but little paternal affection. The better 
instincts of his nature ever prompt him to bestow 
a fatherly embrace upon his child. That mother 
w T ould be considered a hard-hearted woman who 
would deny her own babe and cast it from her arms. 



Inheritance of God's Children. 239 

Earthly parents joyfully greet their children, and 
always are ready to give them their loving caresses. 
They care for them when in need, they comfort 
them when in sorrow. Our Heavenly Father is not 
less mindful of His children. To all who become 
members of His family He gives a clear and joyful 
recognition. 

But man by nature is not a member of God's 
household. He is a stranger to God, an alien to the 
commonwealth of Israel. It is only by the act of 
Divine mercy that these relations are changed. 
When man obtains forgiveness for sin and becomes 
a new creature, through grace he is adopted into 
the family of God. It is to this change of his rela- 
tions to God that the apostle refers when he says, 
"Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again 
to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption 
whereby we cry Abba, Father/' And again he says, 
"Born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor 
of the will of man, but of God." Man, who nat- 
urally is an alien, a stranger, an orphan, is gra- 
ciously adopted into the Divine family and made an 
heir of God. This change is conscious, is experi- 
mental. He who becomes a child of God receives 
evidence, not only of the forgiveness of his sins, 
but also of his adoption into the family of God. This 
evidence may be given by the new desires and new 
affections springing up in the heart. The fruits of 
the Spirit found therein attest the presence and 
work of the Spirit of adoption. "We know," says 
the apostle, "that we have passed from death unto 



240 The L,iffE otf Faith. 

life because we love the brethren." In the new 
spiritual life is found this new grace. The Holy 
Spirit, having cast out enmity, has filled the heart 
with love. He also has imparted to the soul peace 
and joy and longsufrering. These graces now 
abound therein, because the Spirit of adoption has 
been given. 

But this change of relations is not only inferred 
from the fact that the fruits of the Spirit are found 
ripening in the soul. There is a direct and impress- 
ive assurance. The inspired apostle declares that 
"His Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits 
that we are the children of God." We may not be 
able to understand or explain how the Holy Spirit 
brings to our hearts this blessed message, but of the 
fact we may be fully conscious. Mr. Wesley, in 
speaking of this gracious experience, says: "I do 
not mean that the Spirit of God testifies this by any 
outward voice ; no, nor always by an inward voice, 
though He may. Neither do I suppose that He al- 
ways applies to the heart, though He may, one or 
more texts of Scripture. But He works upon the 
soul by His immediate influence and by a strong 
though inexplicable operation, that the stormy winds 
and troubled waves subside, and there is a sweet 
calm, the heart resting in the arms of Jesus, and 
the sinner being clearly satisfied that all his iniqui- 
ties are forgiven and all his sins covered." We 
may not hear a voice saying to us, "Son, thy sins 
are forgiven thee; arise and go in peace;" but the 
sense of guilt is removed, the clouds of condemna- 



Inheritance oe God's Children. 241 

tion are rolled away, the morning sunlight shines 
upon the soul, a conscious peace pervades the heart, 
and deepest sadness and penitential tears and sighs 
of sorrow give place to a spirit of rejoicing. Our 
Heavenly Father grants to His children a clear, a 
full, a satisfactory recognition. 

3. The children of God obey their Father's com- 
mands. 

The beauty of any household is love and watch- 
Care on the part of the parents, and reverence and 
obedience on the part of the children. That family 
circle around which strife and discord abound, 
where the children manifest no regard for parental 
advice, and give no heed to parental commands, is 
one where but little happiness is found. The very 
relation of child to parent leads us to expect filial 
respect. The world condemns the willful and dis- 
obedient son or the daughter that gives no heed to 
parental wishes and admonitions. The happy home, 
the delightful family circle., is one where there are 
not only parental care and love and smiles, but 
where the sons and daughters reverence their par- 
ents; where the advice of father and mother is 
gladly received, and their commands are lovingly 
obeyed. Such is especially true of the children of 
God. They earnestly seek to know His will, and 
with cheerful and glad hearts hasten to obey His 
precepts. Has God said, "Thou shalt love the Lord 
thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and 
strength?" His children will not be found loving 
other things more than they love Him. Has God 
16 



242 The Life oe Faith. 

said, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy ?" 
His children will not be known as seeking their own 
pleasure and doing their own work on that day. 
Has God said, "Thou shalt not take the name of 
the Lord thy God in vain?" His children will not 
be guilty of irreverently using His name. Has God 
said, "Pray without ceasing; ask and you shall re- 
ceive ?" His children will take delight in coming to 
the mercy-seat, in being found frequently at the 
altars of private and public prayer. Has God said 
unto each one of His children, "Let your light shine 
before men ?" His children will not be found stand- 
ing idle in the market-place or living reckless of the 
influence they are exerting upon their fellow men. 
To know His will will be their most earnest desire, 
and, not with a spirit of fear but with a soul full 
of love, they will faithfully and earnestly obey His 
Word. 

4. The children of God trust Him always. They 
have abiding faith in their Heavenly Father. A 
child implicitly confides in its father and mother, 
but will flee from a stranger. Whether that parent 
be wealthy or poor, whether learned or unlearned, 
its confidence is cheerful and unwavering. If trouble 
comes or storms arise, children hasten to their par- 
ents as if sure of protection from all harm. If want 
oppresses or hunger pinches, it is to its parent that 
the child goes, expecting needful supplies. If it 
suffers with pain or is scorched with fevers, it will 
lean its head upon its mother's bosom, and there 
find relief from all its troubles. Many years ago, in 



Inheritance; op* God's Children. 243 

childhood's early days, on a cold, stormy winter 
night, I was carried in my father's arms homeward 
from a neighbor's house. Although the snow was 
falling fast, and the winds blowing, and the ice 
cracking beneath my father's steps, I had no fear. 
The more severe the cold winds blew, the more 
closely I nestled to my father's warm bosom. I 
knew in whose strong arms I was being borne, and 
fully trusted my father to bring me home in safety. 
It is said that in the late Civil War of our country 
a poor man was drafted into the Confederate army. 
He was called to leave his wife and quite a brood 
of children with scant supplies for a liveli- 
hood. In his absence they had to obtain food and 
clothing by their own efforts. That mother, as 
best she could, prayerfully cared for her children. 
Sometimes want seemed ready to cross their thresh- 
old. Often the barrel of meal would become nearly 
empty, and then it would be filled up again. They 
thus struggled on between hope and fear. One day 
her little four-year-old boy came to her with a pleas- 
ant smile upon his face, and said, "Ma, I believe 
God hears when we scrape the bottom of the bar- 
rel." So God's children trust in Him. They know 
that He watches over them and lovingly cares for 
them. Their confidence fails not. They trust Him 
in sickness or health, in poverty or in wealth, at 
home and abroad, when the sun shines or the clouds 
lower, living or dying. Sometimes the storms may 
be severe ; sometimes the way may be through deep 
and troubled waters; sometimes disappointments 



244 The; kitfs oe Faith. 

may come and adversity may frown, but the chil- 
dren of God ever find refuge from the blasts of the 
world under the shadow of the Almighty. 

These characteristics distinguish the children of 
God. They are morally like Him; they are recog- 
nized by Him ; they obey His commands ; they trust 
in Him. They who possess these characteristics are 
His children, and "if children, then heirs; heirs of 
God, and joint heirs with Christ." 

II. The; Inheritance; Promised is Glorious. 

In the title deed to an earthly inheritance the 
boundary lines are clearly marked out and the num- 
ber of acres is given. The heir can without diffi- 
culty determine its worth. An inheritance is pro- 
vided for every child of God; its title is clear and 
definite; but who has been able to measure its di- 
mensions or tell of all its glories ? Human language 
is unable fully to describe it. Men have attempted 
in words of prose to give a full description of it, 
but have failed. The most brilliant imagination of 
the poet has been unable to give in song expression 
to all its grandeur. Painters on canvas with brush 
and pencil and the richest colors have not succeeded 
in displaying its untold beauties. Even the pen of 
inspiration does not attempt to number all its 
glories. And the mightiest angelic intellect can not 
comprehend its wonderful outlines. "Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the 
heart of man the things which God hath prepared 
for them that love Him." It is an inheritance 
boundless and glorious. 



Inheritance of God's Children. 245 

Sometimes as I have thought of that promised 
possession; as I have tried to measure its lengths 
and breadths, and with faith's plummet attempted 
to fathom its depths, I have said, if the Christian's 
inheritance be only the joy of sins forgiven, the lift- 
ing of the burden of guilt from the heart, and the 
cleansing of the soul from all impurity ; if this joy, 
which no tongue can express, be the inheritance of 
God's children, that were enough. But it is more 
than that. Then I have said, if it consists in the 
sweet peace that flows from a life of faith in the 
Son of God and the inspiring hope of a happy im- 
mortality, that were enough. But it is more than 
that. Then I have said, if the portion of God's chil- 
dren were only grace to sustain in life's trials and to 
give complete triumph in the hour of death, that 
were enough. But it is more than that. Then I 
have said, if it be an abundant entrance into the 
kingdom above, greeting with joy those who have 
gone on before, and a home forever in the mansions 
of the blessed, that were enough. But it is more 
than that. It is more than a home in heaven, 
more than an immortal crown, more than robes of 
white and palms of victory, more than to play upon 
the harps of the redeemed and to sing the song of 
Moses and the Lamb. It is more than all these. "If 
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs 
with Christ." It is to be the heir of God. God is 
their inheritance. Does God hold in His possession 
the wealth of the universe? If I am His child, that 
shall be mine. Does God reign as King over all 



246 The Life of Faith. 

above and beneath ? If I am His child, I am an heir 
to the kingdom. Is God almighty? I am an heir 
to the protection Omnipotence can give. Is God all 
love? If I am His child, I am an heir to His 
boundless and eternal love. O the glorious in- 
heritance of the children of God ; richer than golden 
paved cities, brighter than blazing suns, more en- 
during than eternity itself! "If children, then 
heirs; heirs of. God, and joint heirs with Christ." 

This glorious inheritance may not only be ours 
in the life above ; but even here, in the life that now 
is, we may have God as our portion and enjoy a 
foretaste of the bliss to come. We may rest se- 
curely under the shadow of His approving smiles ; 
we may have His peace as a river flowing through 
our souls ; we may have His power manifested in 
our defense in every conflict ; and we may live with 
"His love richly shed abroad in our hearts by the 
Holy Ghost given unto us." 

How strong the incentives for every one to re- 
pent of sin, to turn away from transgressions, to 
trust in Jesus, and to love and serve God ! How im- 
portant that we confess Christ before saints on 
earth and saints in heaven, before angels and men, 
that we may become the children of God and be 
heirs to this glorious inheritance! May the loving 
Spirit of the blessed Savior lead us all into God's 
happy family! 



1:v. 

JEHOVAH-JIREH. 

"And Abraham called the name of that place Jeho- 
vah-jireh." — Gen. xxii, 14. 

Abraham was a man of strong faith in God. 
This was the chief characteristic of his whole life. 
With him it was greater than love of ease, or love 
of country, or love of kin. It was faith in God that 
caused him to leave his native land, to bid farewell 
to all his father's family, and, after making a long 
journey, to pitch his tent among strangers in a 
strange land. He always accepted the commands of 
God without a question ; he constantly submitted to 
be led by the hand of God, and cheerfully bowed 
his will to the will of God. So unwavering was his 
faith in God, so ready his obedience to the com- 
mands of God, that he received the exalted title 
"The Friend of God." Faith and obedience so fully 
characterized his whole life that he became an il- 
lustrious example of piety for all generations, for 
all ages. On account of his faith, God often re- 
vealed Himself to Abraham, directed his steps in 
the way of safety, gave promise to him of great 
temporal and spiritual mercies, and wrought in his 
behalf many wonderful deliverances. His dealings 
247 



248 The: Life of Faith. 

with Abraham give proof of that constant regard 
that God ever has for those who love and serve Him. 
In the historical incident of which the text forms 
a part is presented a deeply interesting manifesta- 
tion of God to this illustrious patriarch. God called 
unto him, and gave him a startling command. The 
trial through which he was made to go was most 
severe, yet earnest and steadfast were his faith and 
obedience. The Divine order was to take Isaac his 
son, the son of his old age, the son in whom all his 
hopes for the future were centered, to take him 
and offer him as a sacrifice on one of the mountains 
in the land of Moriah. The command fell upon his 
ear like a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky. The 
thought of obeying must have rent his heart with 
pangs of untold grief. Startling as was the com- 
mand, yet the simple record is that he rose up early 
in the morning and went forward to perform the 
task. He took with him Isaac, his son ; he cleft the 
wood for the burnt-offering, and "went unto the 
place of which God had told him." On the third 
day they drew near the appointed spot. As they 
ascended the mountain together, Isaac said to his 
father, "Behold the fire and the wood; but where 
is the lamb for a burnt-offering?" The father, no 
doubt with quivering lip and choking breath, re- 
plied, "My son, God will provide Himself a lamb 
for a burnt-offering." They came to the place that 
God had selected. An altar was erected. The wood 
was laid in order upon the altar. Then he "bound 
Isaac, his son, and laid him on the altar upon the 



Jehovah-Jireh. 249 

wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and 
took the knife to slay his son." When God had 
seen the ready obedience of his servant and fully 
proven his faith ; when in Abraham's uplifted hand 
was the sharp knife about to pierce the heart of his 
son; when all the terrible agony of soul in making 
the sacrifice had been realized by the aged patriarch, 
God again spoke to him, and said, "Lay not thy 
hand upon the lad ; for now I know that thou f ear- 
est God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, 
thine only son, from Me." Abraham's knife was 
withdrawn, and dropped from his hand. He looked 
and saw behind him "a ram caught in the thicket by 
his horns. He took the ram and offered him up for 
a burnt-offering in the stead of his son. And Abra- 
ham called the name of that place Jehovah- jireh." 
The name given to the place literally means "the 
Lord will provide." It was given as a memorial of 
God's provision of a burnt-offering instead of Isaac. 
It was a grateful monument to the Divine inter- 
position in the hour of greatest extremity. Trust- 
ing in God and strictly obedient to His command, 
Abraham was rewarded by help afforded in the 
time of need. The name was also a prophecy of 
future events. On Mount Moriah a greater sacri- 
fice was to be offered. That place was to witness 
the sufferings of the Son of God in providing sal- 
vation for the world. There was to be made the 
great sin-offering for man. To the prophetic eye 
of the patriarch was here revealed a typical view 
of the tragic scenes of Calvary. No doubt he 



250 The: Life of Faith. 

looked with wonder and delight upon the unfolding 
pages of Divine mercy to man; and, inspired by 
the spirit of prophecy, he gives name to the place. 
With Abraham we also, by faith, may view the 
same scene. Looking upon the Lamb of God suf- 
fering and dying upon the cross in man's stead, and 
beholding the glory that should follow, we, too, may 
joyfully call the name of the place Jehovah- jireh; 
we, too, may realize that here the Lord provides re- 
demption for the world. The trial and reward of 
faith is the interesting theme brought to view in 
the text. 

I. The; Exercise of Faith and Its Steadfastness 
are Illustrated in the Conduct of Abra- 
ham. 

His faith remained throughout the trial un- 
moved as a mountain of granite, and his obedience 
shone forth as the noonday sun. No duty could 
have been imposed upon him that was harder to 
perform; no command could have been given him 
that would more certainly have shaken his confi- 
dence. Objections to its performance, apparently 
well-founded, were no doubt suggested to his mind. 
His fatherly affection and human reason would have 
united in inducing him to shrink from the duty. 
To obey, he might have argued, would surely de- 
feat even the promise of God. "In Isaac shall thy 
seed be called," was the Divine assurance. The 
preservation of the life of Isaac was necessary in 
order that this promise might be verified. How 



Jehovah -Jireh. 251 

dare he, by thrusting the deadly knife to the heart 
of his son and offering him as a sacrifice, attempt 
to defeat God's own word? Also the moral law 
imposed upon all mankind solemnly said, "Thou 
shalt not kill." The penalty of that law would cer- 
tainly be incurred if he obeyed the command. Again, 
the warm paternal love for his son — his only son, 
the son of his old age — with irresistible pleadings, 
would powerfully withhold his hand from such a 
bloody deed. And yet, with all these objections and 
all these earnest persuasions rising up before him 
against such work, he gave implicit heed to the 
voice of God. With no single ray of light upon the 
dark cloud over his head, with no promised relief in 
performing the severe task, the Divine command 
fell upon his ear, "Take thy son, thine only son 
Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land 
of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offer- 
ing upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee 
of." To all the pleadings of a father's heart, to 
all the objections that human reason could suggest, 
to all the direful consequences that might follow, 
Abraham turned a deaf ear. He rose up early in 
the morning, and went forward with haste to fully 
obey the word of the Lord. How could his faith 
have been more severely tried? How could a dutv 
have been imposed upon him more heart-rending? 
How strong was his faith in God to remain un- 
moved by such a test! And yet how earnestly and 
readily the work is performed! Abraham's faith 



252 The Life of Faith. 

was without example, and his obedience was com- 
plete. 

1. Such faith is necessary for the soul seeking 
salvation. On its exercise depends the obtaining of 
forgiving mercy. The penitent seeking pardon for 
sin must fully submit his will to the will of God. 
He must be willing to surrender the dearest idol of 
his heart. The sin that most easily besets him, the 
earthly object most dearly cherished that stands in 
the way of his salvation, must be relinquished. The 
fondest and most alluring associations of life, if op- 
posed to the right, must be severed. Any and every 
sacrifice demanded must be made. The love of the 
world, the lust of the eye, the unholy ambitions of 
the soul, must be given up. To obtain God's par- 
doning mercy dependence upon self, or friends, or 
wealth, or social position, must give way to de- 
pendence upon Christ. All other paths must be 
forsaken for the path that leads to the cross. All 
other trust must be discarded for that which cen- 
ters alone in the merits of the atoning Lamb of God. 
Rising up early, without delay, with unwavering 
faith, he must accept of Jesus as his personal Savior. 
With tears of penitence falling from his eyes, with- 
out reserve of heart, he should be ready to say : 

" All my trust on Thee is stayed, 
All my help from Thee I bring; 
Cover my defenseless head 

With the shadow of Thy wing." 

2. Such faith should characterize every child of 
God. The path of the just "is as the shining light," 



Jehovah-Jireh. 253 

yet there may be rough hills to climb and deep val- 
leys to pass through. There may be heavy crosses 
to be borne. There may be duties that are difficult 
to perform. There may be sacrifices required from 
which the soul would shrink back. There may be 
trials to endure which seem ready to crush the heart. 
But the work to which God calls us, the crosses 
which He lays upon our shoulders, the sacrifices 
which He requires, are to be met by us without 
complaining, without fear. We should not stop to 
parley with seemingly well-founded objections. All 
that God commands should be done without delay, 
the whole heart bowing before His will, the whole 
soul rising up early to fully perform what He re- 
quires. Such faith is required in order to retain 
the Divine favor. Such faith is the only condition 
of personal advancement in the Divine life. Such 
faith is necessary in order to overcome temptation, 
to endure trials, and to gain an abundant entrance 
into the kingdom of God. While God may not bid 
us literally to offer as a sacrifice an Isaac, the son 
we love, as He required of Abraham, yet we must 
be as ready as was the old patriarch to fully obey 
His every command. 

II. The: Reward op 4 Faith is Glorious. 

The ordeal through which Abraham was called 
to pass was most trying. The crucible into which he 
was cast was glowing hot. No duty could have 
been more difficult, no sacrifice could have been 
harder to make. And yet the reward which Abra- 



254 The Life of Faith. 

ham received for his faith and obedience far ex- 
ceeded in magnitude the severity of the test he un- 
derwent. The joy that his heart realized in the 
wonderful truths revealed on Mount Moriah dis- 
pelled every cloud that had hung upon the moun- 
tain's brow. The unfoldings of Divine mercy that 
there fell upon his vision more than compensated 
him for every pang of grief that had pierced his 
heart, for every burning tear that had fallen from 
his eyes. His ear was there permitted to hear the 
grand chorus of glad tidings from heaven itself, 
and his soul was enabled to bask with delight in 
the Divine revelation of "peace and good will to 
men." 

I. God made known to him on Mount Moriah 
the plan provided for the world's salvation. This 
revelation was typically given in the offering of 
Isaac. From the time of man's fall and banishment 
from the garden of Eden; from the day when the 
prophecy was uttered that the seed of the woman 
should bruise the serpent's head ; from the first in- 
timation from heaven of the possibility of guilty 
man being able to escape the death of sin, it had 
been an unsolved question how his salvation could 
be effected. It was a theme of interest upon which 
the patriarchs pondered. It was a problem which 
the angels studied, but could not solve. How could 
God be just and yet forgive the guilt of man? was 
a question shrouded in mystery. In the offering 
of Isaac as a sacrifice God gave to Abraham an 
answer to this question that so interested his mind. 



Jehovah-Jireh. 255 

He was afforded typically a distinct, though far dis- 
tant, view of the unfolding of the plan of human 
salvation. His faith that led him obediently to vir- 
tually offer Isaac as a burnt-offering was enabled 
there to apprehend the rich provisions God had 
made for the world's redemption. 

An atoning sacrifice was needed. The law had 
been violated by man, and the penalty of that law 
was death. Man, guilty and condemned, must suf- 
fer that penalty or some acceptable victim must die 
in his stead. Only by the shedding of blood was 
salvation possible. As God provided an offering as 
a substitute for Isaac, so one would be provided to 
die in man's stead. In the sacrifice that Abraham 
offered on Mount Moriah he saw plainly a type of 
the greater sacrifice that was to be made there in 
the fullness of time, the "Lamb slain from the foun- 
dation of the world," the great atonement for the 
sins of mankind. His faith grasped the merits of that 
greater sacrifice, and his heart was made glad ; and 
in view of that wonderful provision for the propitia- 
tion of man's sins, "he called the name of that place 
Jehovah- jireh." We, too, may climb Moriah's 
heights with hearts weary and heavy-laden ; we, too, 
may look by faith upon the Lamb of God as He dies 
for us; and as He cries out upon the cross, "It is 
finished," the demands of the broken law have 
been fully met; we, too, may have our hearts filled 
with joy, for, "being justified by faith, we have 
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

The sacrifice was a voluntary offering. It is 



256 The: Life of Faith. 

said that Abraham "bound Isaac, and laid him upon 
the altar upon the wood." Scarcely could a man of 
his advanced age and feebleness have been able to 
bind Isaac against his will, now when he was en- 
dowed with all the strength of his young manhood. 
The pious son no doubt submitted willingly to the 
hands of his father and the will of God. The sac- 
rifice made for man was a voluntary offering. Jesus 
the Christ, being above the law, placed Himself 
under the law, took upon Himself the form of a 
servant, became obedient unto death, even the death 
of the cross, that He might redeem those that were 
under the law. He "loved us and gave Himself 
for us." He voluntarily "tasted death for every 
man." To save a fallen race, to lift man up from 
darkness and despair, He cheerfully endured the 
agonies of Gethsemane, and gave His life for the 
people on Calvary. 

Again, this sacrifice was of priceless value. The 
cost of man's salvation was only measured by the 
boundlessness of Divine love. Abraham was com- 
manded to offer his own son. He withheld not his 
only son, the son of his old age, whom he loved. 
How tender, how warm, how great was that love! 
Words could not tell the fervor of that father's af- 
fection. Severe was the struggle in his bosom as 
the chords of love were rent in making the offer- 
ing. But our Heavenly Father's love was greater 
than that of the old patriarch. As far as the Divine 
exceeds the human, so far did God's love for his 
Son exceed Abraham's love for Isaac. Yet "God 



Jehovah-Jireh. 257 

so loved the world that He gave His only begotten 
Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life." That love was 
boundless. No measuring line could fathom its 
depths or tell its heights. It was deeper than hell 
and higher than heaven. It was as limitless as space 
and vast as eternity. The well-beloved Son was 
given to humiliation, to pain, to intense suffering, 
to cruel death, that through His merits we might 
have hope and life. 

" O, for this love let rocks and hills 
Their lasting silence break, 
And all harmonious human tongues 
The Savior's praises speak ! " 

2. God gave Abraham assurance of help in every 
extremity. His faith and obedience were fully 
tested. His willingness of heart and the readiness 
of his hands to offer Isaac as God had commanded 
were fully proven. But when the sharp knife was 
drawn, when the deadly stroke was about to fall, 
God called unto him. In his greatest extremity 
help was afforded. A ram was provided for a 
burnt-offering instead of Isaac. In that moment of 
greatest want, God was present to provide relief. 
So in the gift of His Son as our Savior, when no 
other help could be found, God gives to all His 
children assurance of Divine aid in time of need. 
You may not be called upon to offer up as a sacri- 
fice an only son. Such a severe ordeal may not lay 
along your path. Yet seasons of great need will 
17 



258 The: Life of Faith. 

come to you. Disappointments may be experienced ; 
physical pain may be severe; sore bereavements 
may rend your heart with grief ; fearful temptations 
may cross your path; earthly hopes may fade, and 
even death may draw nigh; but at all times God 
in Christ is present to provide help. In life, in sep- 
arations, in death, He is present to give comfort. 
In the greatest extremities the grace of God will 
be sufficient for us. From the cross there comes to 
every trusting heart the voice of love and precious 
assurance. It speaks to every one in hours of 
trouble or grief, tenderly saying : 

"Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish; 
Come to the mercy-seat, fervently kneel ; 
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish ; 
Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven can not heal." 

3. The faith of Abraham was rewarded with an 
assurance of the resurrection of the dead. This 
hope may have been his only solace while journey- 
ing to the land of Moriah. The promise of God 
had been given that "in Isaac shall thy seed be 
called." He knew that promise must be verified. 
He argued that, in order that it might be fulfilled, 
if his son was offered as a sacrifice, he must be 
again restored to life. The apostle notes this fact 
when he says Abraham "by faith offered up Isaac, 
accounting that God was able to raise him up, even 
from the dead, from whence also he received him 
in a figure." Now his belief in the doctrine was 
fully established by his prophetic view of the future. 



Jehovah -Jireh. 259 

On the mountains of Moriah the Son of God not 
only died upon the cross as man's sin-offering, but 
also arose in triumph from the tomb. He went 
down into the grave, and by His presence there 
sanctified the sleeping-place of all His saints. He 
met in conflict man's last enemy ; He conquered 
Death, He broke down the bars of the tomb; He 
arose in triumph over all His enemies, and "became 
the firstfruits of them that slept." Now man no 
longer needs to fear the fell monster. Now Death 
no longer wields a victorious scepter. He may 
touch every human form with his chilly ringers; 
he may cause weeping and sorrow in every house- 
hold ; he may dig his graves, and weave his winding- 
sheets, and build his coffins, but since Jesus arose 
his scepter has been broken. In Christ a glorious 
resurrection is provided, and Death's kingdom tot- 
ters to the fall. By and by a brighter day will come. 
By and by the resurrection morn will dawn. Then 
the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and 
come forth to life again. Then loved ones shall 
meet again, no more to be separated. Then broken 
ties of love will be welded again, no more to be sev- 
ered. Then shall God's saints in one glad chorus 
unitedly sing: "O Death, where is thy sting? O 
Grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be unto God 
who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our 
Lord." O, the glorious hope of the child of God! 
O, the rich reward that God has provided for all 
who love and obey Him ! 

No wonder that Abraham called the name of 



260 The Life of Faith. 

that place Jehovah- jireh. No wonder that his bosom 
grew calm as the storm-cloud that had hung over 
him for three days was withdrawn. No wonder, 
as the light of the latter day broke in upon 
his vision and the sun of righteousness arose be- 
fore him over the mountains of Moriah, that he 
exultingly exclaimed, "The Lord will provide !" By 
faith we also may approach that sacred spot and 
find comfort. As we, by faith, witness the flowing 
blood and hear the dying groans of the Son of God, 
we may well weep that our sins and our guilt 
caused such pangs of grief. But when he conquers 
Death and comes forth in triumph from the grave, 
then may we rejoice that through Him we may be 
saved. And as we realize His precious saving grace 
and experience His redeeming power, we, too, may 
build a memorial of God's love and mercy, and in- 
scribe upon it the prophetic name, "The Lord will 
provide." 

Let the life and example of Abraham lead us to 
stronger faith in God. Let his strict obedience to 
the Divine commands direct our steps in the path 
of greater steadfastness. Let the light and joy and 
hope that cheered his heart ever be our blessed in- 
heritance. Let the sacred spot where the greater 
sacrifice was offered for the world be to undying 
faith our Jehovah- jireh. 



XVI. 

HE FIRST LOVED US. 

"We love Him, because He first loved us." — i John 
iv, 19. 

The: mind of man, with all its wonderful powers 
can not comprehend Deity. The finite is unable to 
measure the Infinite or fathom the Eternal. Yet 
God has revealed His nature and attributes to man 
so far as is necessary for his instruction and salva- 
tion. The glory of the Divine Being must ever be 
the subject of man's study, the object of man's 
wonder, the inspiration of man's service. God has 
clearly made known His will concerning man, and 
in the revelation of His sublime perfection and at- 
tributes He has afforded sufficient reason to cause 
man to acknowledge the Divine authority and to 
perform the Divine will. Our impurity blushes 
with shame before His holiness; our fears are 
aroused by His justice and power; our sincerity is 
quickened by His all-seeing eye; our faith is en- 
couraged by His immutability; our obedience is 
made reasonable by His sovereignty ; but our heart's 
gratitude and love are kindled by the glorious ex- 
hibitions of His goodness and mercy. The whole 
character of God, as revealed in His Word, His 

261 



262 The Life oe Faith. 

works, and His providences, is a reasonable, excit- 
ing, and ever-present incentive to man to forsake 
sin and seek happiness by glorifying His name. 
God does not reveal Himself to us simply to gratify 
our curiosity, but that we may know Him aright 
and have eternal life. 

The apostle refers in the text to God's at- 
tribute of love, and speaks of it as a reasonable mo- 
tive for serving Him. "We love Him, because He 
first loved us." He here gives expression to a sen- 
timent that is the experience of every Christian's 
heart; a sentiment accepted as true by every wor- 
shiper of God. "We love Him ;" our desires go out 
after Him; our affections rise and center in Him; 
our thoughts willingly dwell upon Him; our very 
being bows before Him, admires and adores Him; 
"we love Him, because He first loved us." His 
other attributes may excite our wonder and arouse 
our fears, but His love is the great magnet that at- 
tracts our love. If you ask the happy ones who 
have sought God in the salvation of their souls, 
why they have put their trust in Him, they will 
answer, "We love Him, because He first loved us." 
If you inquire of those who have, on account of 
their faith, been called to endure persecutions bitter 
and relentless, who have remained steadfast when 
locked in dungeon cell, who have willingly yielded 
their bodies to the devouring flames at the stake, 
why they thus cling to His teachings and His serv- 
ice, they will answer, "We love Him, because He 
first loved us." And if you seek from the good and 



He First Loved Us. 263 

wise of all ages and all climes the controlling in- 
centive that led them from the paths of sin to the 
way of Gospel holiness and Bible piety, they, too, 
will reply, "We love Him, because He first loved 
us." It is His wisdom that awakens our admira- 
tion; it is His power that excites our fears; it is 
His purity that startles our guilty consciences ; but 
His love, manifested in the gift of His Son our 
Savior, charms our thoughts and melts our hearts; 
and through the sanctifying influence of His grace 
we are enabled to rise up from the guilt, the enmities 
and degradations of sin to gladly admire, to ear- 
nestly worship, and to sincerely love God. 

While we meditate upon these words of the 
apostle, that love of God to fallen man, to us, to 
all, should kindle in our hearts a flame of reciprocal 
love, a love true and abiding. 

I. The Love oe God to Man Merits a Return oe 

Love to Him. 

The evident meaning of the text is, that we 
ought to love Him because of His love to us. The 
major premise of the argument is, that love be- 
stowed rightly demands always a return of love; 
that as God has been man's great benefactor, as His 
goodness and mercy have been abundant towards 
man, then man should render to God, as a grateful 
service, a return of perfect love. 

Many live, however, in practice denying the 
truth of this principle. They love the world and 
the things of the world more than they love God. 



264 The Life of Faith. 

They love self and the things of self far more than 
they love the service of God. They listen with 
more delight to the siren voice of sinful pleasure 
than they do to the commands of God. They are 
more deeply interested in temporal affairs than they 
are in the cause of God. Their thoughts are more 
earnestly engaged in the plans of this life and the 
gain of this world than they are about the precepts 
and promises of God. And yet, while their lives 
indicate an unbelief of the principle laid down in 
the text, in their dealings with their fellow men they 
admit its truth and demand a return for benefits be- 
stowed. The correctness of the principle is fully 
attested. 

I. It may be inferred from nature. The lower 
animals are controlled by this law. The ox knoweth 
his master, and yields obedience to him who cares 
for him. The sheep follow the voice of the shep- 
herd who tenderly watches over them. The spaniel 
will fawn upon the hand that feeds him. The birds 
grow tame and confiding about the cottage where 
kindness to them is shown. The horse will almost 
laugh lovingly to him who kindly furnishes him 
food and drink. Even greater love and gratitude 
would no doubt be manifested to man by the brute 
creation were it not for want of greater kindness 
on the part of man. The lower animals love their 
benefactors. This principle is attested by filial love. 
The warm affection of the child for its parent il- 
lustrates its correctness. Filial love does not neces- 
sarily spring from the abstract relation of the parent 



Hs First Loved Us. 265 

to the child. A knowledge of that relation may en- 
hance it, but filial love will not be found to exist 
when no parental love or kindness is shown. It 
springs chiefly from the bestowal of parental favors. 
The reverence given by the son to his father is the 
return made for protection, for counsel, for bless- 
ings bestowed. The ardent love for the mother is 
kindled to an ever-glowing flame by the tender care, 
the warm caresses, the vigilant watchings, the over- 
flowing affection that she has conferred upon the 
child. In these beautiful displays of the heart's un- 
measured love, in this universal exhibition of true 
affection in nature, we have proof of the truth of 
the principle laid down in the text, that love should 
ever be repaid by love. 

The same thing is attested by our own heart 
experiences. Who has not realized the growth of 
affection towards those from whom kindnesses have 
icome? In the homes where kind deeds and kind 
words abound, gratitude and love grow luxuriantly. 
They afford comfort to the sorrowing, and shed light 
about the pillow of the dying. They relieve aching 
hearts in the hours of disappointment, and give joy 
to the sighing sons of sorrow. They hew off the 
rough corners in social life, and twine the bond of 
brotherhood among mankind. They are to the 
heart as plenteous showers to the parched earth, as 
refreshing dews to the withering flowers, as the 
warm breath of spring to the barren field. We love 
those who do us kindnesses ; we return warm grati- 
tude for affection bestowed. 



266 The Life of Faith. 

2. This principle is proven true by the dictates 
of public opinion. The world demands of all a 
reciprocity of love. 

The ungrateful son is condemned by all. He 
who has been nurtured by fond parents, whose body 
has gained strength, and whose mind has received 
culture through their unceasing care; he who has 
been the object continually of parental affection and 
kindnesses, — he is expected, both in youth and ma- 
ture life, to honor and love those parents. If that 
son, when he comes to manhood and has received 
from those parents a title deed to all their posses- 
sions, should drive them from his home without 
comfort or food, or allow them only to find refuge 
in the almshouse in their old age, he would be justly 
condemned by public opinion. No one would be- 
stow upon him the smile of approval. All the bet- 
ter instincts of human nature would rise up and 
pronounce curses upon him. Society would spurn 
him from its presence, and brand him as a heartless 
ingrate. 

The world condemns the man of business who 
reciprocates no favors. He may have been in finan- 
cial trouble and sought and obtained help from you. 
Such was his condition that if you had pushed your 
just claims against him, he would have been driven 
into bankruptcy. But at his request you gave him 
more time, you gave him needed help, so that he 
was enabled to pass the crisis in his business safely 
and to go forward enlarging his possessions. Now, 
when you have become involved, he has no con- 



He First Loved Us. 267 

cern about you. When you want favors he has none 
to bestow. When, through legal technicalities, he 
can embarrass you, he manifests no disposition to 
refrain. Even in view of your financial ruin he 
presses his claims, and remembers your kindnesses 
only to oppress you the more. Who would approve 
of such conduct? Who would consider such action 
as in the least honorable ? Society would turn with 
loathing from such a man. Public opinion would 
justly condemn him as a heartless and a mean man 
for not returning good for favors received. 

The world condemns the man guilty of treason. 
His person and property have always been pro- 
tected by his government. His freedom has been 
assured. His honor has been defended. Yet to 
gain place and power, to gratify the ungodly ambi- 
tion of his heart, he raises the arm of rebellion, 
and would destroy the government that has blessed 
him. Such an act is worthy the just condemnation 
that is pronounced upon it by mankind, and de- 
serves the infliction of the severest punishment. On 
the other hand, the world holds in highest honor 
the memory of those who have been benefactors of 
their race and loyal to their government. Their 
deeds are recounted with delight, their names are 
held in high esteem, and their characters and their 
conduct are approved by all. The poet sings their 
praise in verse, the sculptor builds of marble their 
monument, and young and old of passing genera- 
tions spread flowers upon their graves. 

3. The Scriptures present this principle as true 



268 The Life of Faith. 

and right. The text clearly affirms that we ought 
"to love God, because He first loved us." In many 
other passages the same lesson is presented. The 
prophets repeated before the children of Israel the 
many deliverances which God had wrought in their 
behalf, and referred to them as a good reason for 
faithfulness to His commands. The apostles en- 
forced the claims of the Gospel upon those to whom 
they preached, and urged its acceptance because 
Jesus had loved them and given Himself for them. 
The Savior also refers to His works of mercy and 
His deeds of beneficence as an incentive for His re- 
ception. The whole tendency of revelation is to 
emphasize the duty of man to love God, because He 
has loved us. It is a principle indorsed by public 
opinion, one that meets the approval of every man's 
Conscience, and is truly the great common law of 
humanity as well as the law of God. 

II. God First Loved Us. 

On this grand truth the apostle founds our duty 
to love and serve God. Many persons who admit 
that favors bestowed deserve a return of favors 
seem to deny the other premise of the apostle's ar- 
gument, that God first loved them. In their lives 
and practices how many are found who do not love 
God ! How many there are who disobey His com- 
mands ! How many there are who, either by word 
or deed, dishonor the name of Jesus ! How many 
who refuse His offers of salvation, and, with hearts 
unyielding and with love unkindled, turn away from 



He First Loved Us. 269 

Gethsemane and from Calvary ! And yet the mani- 
festations of God's love to man are countless in 
number and convincingly powerful. 

1. He first loved us in the circumstances of our 
creation. Loving- design and wise adaptation char- 
acterize all His works. He made man upright, 
created him in His own image, and appointed for 
him a glorious destiny. Although sin has blighted 
this earth since man was made, though its poisonous 
breath has strewn his pathway with decay and death, 
yet this is still a world of beauty. It everywhere 
affords evidence that it was formed so as to be 
conducive to man's happiness. It has been made to 
bring forth bountiful harvests for his good. Its 
flowers shed fragrance along his pathway. Its chor- 
isters chant melodies to his ear. Its bosom is re- 
plete with gold and precious diamonds for his en- 
riching. Its fountains bubble up cool waters to 
slake his thirst. The whole creation, as it passes 
before the eye as a grand panorama, seems builded 
and prepared to administer to man's wants and de- 
signed to afford him joy. Every portion of God's 
works about us is stamped with the signet of Divine 
love. 

2. His love is manifested in His kindly provi- 
dences. The fact that we still live is proof of His 
great mercy. Why is it that, while our hearts have 
been devising evil and our feet have been running 
in paths of sin, the arrow of death has not smitten 
us down? Why is it that justice, whose demands 
our wicked acts have provoked, has not received its 



270 The Life of Faith. 

just deserts? We know we have been forgetful of 
God. We know we have forfeited all His forbear- 
ance. We know we have not deserved another 
day's opportunities or mercies. And yet we live. 
God's watch-care has been over us. We are still 
preserved. We have been sustained in life by the 
compassion of God and the love of Jesus. The in- 
tercessions of Christ have been effectual in our be- 
half. The voice of justice, because of our sins and 
unfaithfulness, has often cried out, "Cut the tree 
down; why cumbereth it the ground?" But our 
Great Intercessor has presented the plea that we 
might be spared another day, another month, an- 
other year; that we might again have the oppor- 
tunity of yielding to His call and be saved. Jesus 
has been pleading for us, and through His interces- 
sions we live to-day, that we may once more hear 
the calls of mercy and turn to God. God has pre- 
served us; gratitude and love for Him should fill 
our hearts. 

3. His love is especially manifested in provid- 
ing salvation. "Jesus has loved us, and given Him- 
self for us." 

Man does not fully appreciate the love of God 
shown in the gift of His beloved Son. He looks too 
much upon religion as a commonplace affair. He 
grows weary of its duties and its precepts. He 
thinks too often of the story of the cross as the 
narrative of a tragic event of olden times that has 
no bearing upon the things of to-day. If he looks 
at all at the scene of Christ's sufferings, it is as at 



He First Loved Us. 271 

something far distant from him. It excites but lit- 
tle interest in his mind. He fails to realize that all 
his hopes for happiness in time and eternity depend 
upon the offering made on Calvary; that without 
the cross there is no salvation for man. 

The havoc that sin had made upon man's nature 
was fearful ; the condition in which it had placed 
him was deplorable. It had driven from the soul 
the spirit of life and peace. It had corrupted his 
heart and filled it with enmity. It had overwhelmed 
man with Divine displeasure. It had exposed man 
to the pains of eternal death. It had made man a 
sinful, helpless, hopeless creature; no ray of light 
fell upon his path, no cheerful future greeted his 
eye; no tender voice spoke words of encourage- 
ment to his desponding heart. 

"Plunged in a gulf of dark despair, 
We wretched sinners lay, 
Without one cheering beam of hope, 
Or spark of glimmering day." 

When already under the sentence of condemna- 
tion; when over his head was uplifted the sword 
of justice; when the dark clouds of despair were 
gathering around him, then, full of compassion and 
love, Jesus came to his help. He bared His own 
bosom to the stroke of justice, and made salvation 
possible for man. 

"With pitying eyes the Prince of grace 
Beheld our helpless grief; 
He saw, and, O amazing love ! 
He ran to our relief. " 



272 The Life oe Faith. 

"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, 
yet peradventure for a good man some would even 
dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward 
us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for 
us." Before we had thought of Him, His compas- 
sion was aroused in our behalf. Before we had 
cried to Him for help, He gave Himself for us. Be- 
fore we had ceased to commit sin, He made plen- 
teous provisions for our salvation. "He first loved 
us." Love to man caused Him to lay aside the 
glory He had with the Father before the world 
began, and take upon Himself the form of a serv- 
ant. Love to man led Him to endure severe perse- 
cutions and cruel bufferings. Love to man com- 
pelled Him to wear the crown of thorns, to pass 
through the agonies of Gethsemane, to utter the 
bitter wailings on the cross, and to bow His head 
in death. It was because of His love for man that 
He conquered death, broke down the bars of the 
tomb, and, ascending on high, became his Advocate 
before the throne of God. O, what wondrous love 
was His ! 

The philanthropic Howard, in pity for his fel- 
low men, visited prison-houses and jails that he 
might bring to those in bonds some comfort and 
some relief! But Jesus' love was greater; it was 
to save from death His bitter enemies. Washington 
and his patriotic soldiers endured great trials, made 
long marches, and underwent untold sacrifices that 
they might give freedom and prosperity to their 
countrymen. But the love, the sufferings, the sac- 
rifices of Jesus were more wonderful; they were 



He First Loved Us. 273 

given to set free those who had voluntarily become 
slaves to sin and bondmen to death. His was love 
unmeasured; His was love unmerited, boundless, 
and free. Should not our hearts swell with love in 
return? Should not our whole being gladly and 
earnestly bow before such a loving Father ? If the 
dumb animals regard man with affection for favors 
bestowed, should not our gratitude be most fervent 
towards God, the Giver of all our benefits? If 
warm and abiding love characterizes the dutiful 
child for parental kindnesses should not our souls 
be filled with sincerest gratitude to Him who ever 
cares for us? If we applaud our fellow men for 
their philanthropic deeds, how much more should 
we honor Him who has purchased our redemption ! 
If we bestow benedictions and praise upon heroes 
by whose valor we have civil liberty and national in- 
dependence, how much more should we adore Him 
who by His own death obtained for us freedom 
from guilt, salvation from death, and eternal bliss! 
Standing by the cross, beholding the Lamb of God 
suffering and dying for us, witnessing this exhibi- 
tion of wonderful and unmerited love, our hearts 
should be melted into tenderness, our souls should 
be overwhelmed with gratitude, and with our whole 
heart, soul, mind, and strength we should "love Him 
who first loved us." 

III. Our Love Manifested. 

When the love of Christ is begotten in the heart 
it will not remain there concealed. It must be 
18 



274 The Life of Faith. 

made known or it will die. This love will not grow 
and bear fruit in a cloister, nor continue to glow 
when hid in the caverns of earth. It seeks the broad 
light of day. It flourishes where the winds of 
heaven blow. He that hath the love of Jesus in his 
heart will long to tell of the rich treasure which 
he has found. It is the nature of this love to de- 
clare its presence. It will speak forth in the sparkle 
of the eye, or in the smile upon the countenance, or 
in the hymns of praise, or in the shouts of joy that 
tell of the gracious work wrought upon the heart. 

1. Our love of Christ may be made known by a 
public profession of His name. Jesus said, "Who- 
soever shall confess Me before men, him will I con- 
fess before My Father which is in heaven." This 
confession of Christ is therefore a duty as well as 
a privilege. It is to accept of His commands, to 
observe His ordinances, and to be numbered with 
His disciples. It is, by word and deed, to acknowl- 
edge Him as our Lord and Savior from whom we 
have received so rich an inheritance. 

2. Our love of Christ may be declared by ex- 
tending a knowledge of Gospel truth. The ruin of 
sin has extended to every human heart. The grace 
of salvation is as extensive in its provisions as the 
effects of sin. Many around us live without a 
knowledge of saving power. To all we should bear 
the tidings of redeeming mercy. We may lead the 
blind to the fountain of life-giving waters, and 
bring the leper to Him who is able to heal. All who 
have experienced the love of God shed abroad in 



He First Loved Us. 275 

their hearts may be instrumental in imparting to 
others the same blessed consciousness. It is said 
the caravan traveling across the sandy desert, when 
their vessels of drinking water have been emptied 
and there is great danger of the whole company per- 
ishing with thirst, that then they spread out over the 
desert in every direction seeking for the living foun- 
tain where water may be found to drink. When any 
one discovers the fountain of clear and refreshing 
water he at once, with loud voice, shouts to those in 
the distance, "Come, there is water here !" Each 
one who hears the joyful news shouts to those far- 
ther away, "Come, there is water here !" The glad 
tidings is borne from one to another throughout the 
desert until all in the company hear the welcome 
word and hastily bend their steps to the spot where 
the gushing waters have been found. So should it 
be with those who have found this great salvation. 
Having tasted of the waters of the life-giving foun- 
tain, they should make known to others the way to 
the place where their spiritual thirst may be as- 
suaged. Standing right by the cross of Christ, 
where their own souls first found light and peace, 
they should cry aloud to all who are ready to perish 
with thirst, "Come, there is water here ; come, there 
is water here!" From one to another should the 
shout go up until all who traverse the world's desert 
wastes shall hear the joyful tidings, and come to the 
fountain and drink of the water of life. 

3. The love of Christ may be declared in the 
songs of praise and the chorus of thanksgiving. 



276 The Life of Faith. 

When the leper was cleansed he immediately turned 
and glorified God. When the lame man was re- 
stored to strength he went forth leaping and prais- 
ing God. When blessings are bestowed upon us 
we gladly render thanks to those from whom we 
have received them. When victories are gained 
over the enemy by our armies the voice of rejoicing 
is heard all over the land. But the work of saving 
the immortal soul is grander than the healing of a 
leper, or restoring sight to the blind, or gaining a 
victory on earth's battlefield. It is the redemption 
of man from moral death; it is the creation in 
man's heart of the hope of eternal life ; it is the as- 
surance given to man of triumph over death and of 
an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God. 
What notes of praise should fall from our lips when 
that glorious work is experienced by us ! What sub- 
lime strains of thanksgiving should then employ 
our tongues ! With tears of joy ; with countenances 
lit up in smiles of rapture ; with hearts whose every 
throb is a thank-offering ; with voices full and melo- 
dious in praises, we should then proclaim our un- 
dying love for Him who "first loved us." 

When the cholera, some years ago, prevailed in 
St. Louis, a young man, a minister of the Gospel, 
was prostrated by that fearful disease and lay dy- 
ing. No relative was near his couch of suffering 
to speak words of comfort. Only strangers were 
there to administer to him in his fatal sickness. A 
few kind and Christian friends, with tender but 
willing hands, wiped the death-sweat from his brow. 



He First Loved Us. 277 

But he murmured not. His heart was buoyed up 
by the love of Christ. The presence of a loving 
Savior in his sick-chamber made "soft his dying 
bed." Approaching death caused no fear. As his 
strength grew weaker, as his heart-beats became 
feebler, as his hands and feet turned colder, almost 
with his last words, he joyfully exclaimed : 

" I '11 praise my Maker while I 've breath, 
And when my voice is lost in death, 

Praise shall employ my nobler powers ; 
My days of praise shall ne'er be past 
While life, and thought, and being last, 

Or immortality endures." 

His saints, living or dying, praise God. In peace 
or in conflict, in prosperity or in adversity, in health 
or in sickness, they adore the blessed Christ. They 
who have washed their robes and made them white 
in the blood of the Lamb, who have entered heaven 
through great tribulation, lift up their voices in un- 
ceasing thanksgiving to their adorable Redeemer. 
Let our tongues join in the same grand chorus. Let 
us gladly confess His name, joyfully tell of His sav- 
ing grace, and through time and eternity "love Him 
who first loved us." 



XVII. 

DAVID AND HIS SLING. 

"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him 
five smooth stones out of the brook, and put 
them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in 
a scrip; and his sling was in his hand; and he 
drew near to the Philistine/' — i Sam. xvii, 40. 

The Philistines were an old, a powerful, and an 
inveterate enemy of the children of Israel. They 
continued to occupy the maritime plains in the 
southwestern portion of Palestine long after the 
other tribes of Canaan had been destroyed or over- 
come. They often invaded the land of Israel, cap- 
turing their cities and villages, destroying the har- 
vests of their fields, and leaving ruin and desola- 
tion in their pathway. Another invasion is now 
made in great force. The men of Israel under Saul 
are called to arms for defense. The two armies 
pitched their tents along the valley of Elah, about 
fifteen miles northwest of the site of Jerusalem. 
The Philistines were encamped on the north of the 
valley, the Israelites lay along the south side. For 
many days they stood facing each other, with the 
valley between them, while preparing for the battle. 
While they were thus arrayed opposite each other 

278 



David and Hts Sung. 279 

there came out from the ranks of the Philistines 
Goliath their leader, a giant of great prowess and 
skill, and boldly bade defiance to the soldiers in 
Saul's army. He demanded that they should choose 
one of their number to meet him in personal com- 
bat, and thus decide the question of victory or de- 
feat. He promised that if their champion was able 
to overcome and kill him then all the Philistines 
would submit to be the servants of Israel; but if 
he overcame, then the Israelites should be the serv- 
ants of the Philistines. "Give me a man," said he, 
"that we may fight together." For forty days he 
continued to come down into the valley and boldly 
repeated his challenge. The soldiers of Saul heard 
his words of defiance and were stricken with fear. 
No one was found willing to accept his challenge. 
His giant physical proportions and the huge weap- 
ons he wielded sent terror to the heart of every 
Israelite. He stood before them nine feet in height 
and massive in form. He was well skilled in the 
use of the weapons he bore. He had on his head a 
helmet of brass, and was arrayed in a coat of mail. 
Greaves of brass were on his legs and a target of 
brass between his shoulders. The staff of his spear 
was like a weaver's beam, and one went before him 
bearing a shield. As he came forward, he haughtily 
cried out, "I defy the armies of Israel this day." 
When "Saul and all Israel heard the words of the 
Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid." 
A panic of fear spread throughout the whole host 
of Israel. There was imminent danger of utter de- 



280 The Life of Faith. 

feat when they should engage the enemy in battle. 
While Saul's army lay there thus trembling with 
fear, and the Philistines were exulting in hope of 
victory, there came from near Bethlehem a shepherd 
boy to visit his brothers who were enlisted under 
Saul's banner. He heard the words of defiance ut- 
tered by the Philistine, and his indignation was 
greatly aroused. He saw that the soldiers of Israel 
were fearfully dismayed. With a courageous heart 
he bravely addressed them, and said, "Who is this 
uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the 
armies of the living God?" His brothers chided 
him for the bold words he uttered, and rebuked him 
for having left his flocks and come into the lines of 
the army. But his patriotic spirit was undaunted. 
He boldly declared that he was not afraid to accept 
the challenge of the giant and defend the cause of 
his people. Saul, the king, heard of his courageous 
utterances, and sent for the young man. In his 
conference with the king, David said to Saul, "Let 
no man's heart fail because of him ; thy servant will 
go and fight with him." Saul looked upon him 
with misgivings, and said, "Thou art not able ; thou 
art but a youth, and he is a man of war from his 
youth." David assured the king that he could suc- 
cessfully accept the challenge, and told him how he 
had met and slain the wild beasts that had attempted 
to destroy his flocks, and was confident he could 
overcome this proud enemy of Israel. At last the 
king, still trembling with fear, accepted of David 
as Israel's champion, and said to him, "Go, and the 
Lord be with thee." 



David and His Sling. 281 

In order that he might be the best prepared for 
the conflict, Saul took his own armor off and put 
it on David. He put the king's helmet of brass on 
David's head, and buckled on him his own coat of 
mail. He put the king's sword in his hand, and, 
thus arrayed in the king's armor, David "assayed to 
go forth." Had he been prompted by a spirit of 
vanity and only desirous of making a gorgeous dis- 
play, he would have gone forth proud of being per- 
mitted to appear in the king's glittering armor. But 
he turned to Saul and said, "I can not go with these, 
for I have not proved them." He hastily laid them 
all aside; "and he took his staff in his hand, and 
chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and 
put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even 
in a scrip ; and his sling was in his hand ; and he 
drew near to the Philistine." 

As the giant came forward to meet him, and saw 
that David was only armed with a staff in his hand, 
and was but a "youth, and ruddy and of a fair 
countenance," he despised him. He was angry 
that one so young and apparently so unskilled in 
the use of arms should be selected to fight with him. 
He cursed David, and said, "Come to me, and I will 
give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air and to the 
beasts of the field." David fearlessly, replied to his 
boasting antagonist: "Thou comest to me with a 
sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I 
come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the 
God of the armies of Israel whom thou hast defied. 
This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand, 



282 The Liee oe Faith. 

and I will smite thee, and take thy head from thee ; 
and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Phi- 
listines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the 
wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may 
know that there is a God in Israel." The enraged 
giant defiantly advanced. All Israel was trembling 
with fear. The soldiers of Saul were seeking places 
of safety behind rock and tree and hill. They had 
no confidence in David's ability to overcome the 
giant; they were even ready to upbraid him for his 
forwardness. They looked on, expecting to see his 
complete discomfiture. They had no hope of his 
success. They only expected his utter defeat, which 
they thought would prophesy the overthrow of 
Saul's army. The Philistine host looked on with 
extreme delight; they waited for their giant leader 
to win in the combat, and thus insure them victory. 
But David had no fear; he faltered not. In full 
view of both armies he hastily ran towards the 
giant; and as he ran he took from the bag a stone 
and put it in the sling. When he had reached the 
proper distance he halted, and, whirling the sling 
with his strong right arm, he hurled the stone at 
the Philistine. It sank into the giant's unprotected 
forehead and he fell prostrate to the earth. David 
ran, leaped upon the giant's body, and with his 
enemy's own sword cut off his head. He then held 
aloft the bleeding head before the startled hosts of 
both armies. New courage was imparted to the 
soldiers of Saul. Hastening from their hiding- 
places the soldiers of Israel were formed into line, 



David and His Sung. 283 

and with a shout of triumph they charged upon the 
terrified ranks of the enemy. The whole army of 
the Philistines fled in a panic, and Israel triumphed 
gloriously. 

There has ever been waged a warfare between 
truth and error. The forces of good and evil stand 
facing each other to-day in battle array. The bugle 
call for the onset may be heard in every land. The 
giants of evil bid defiance to the armies of the Lord. 
The Goliaths of Paganism, of infidelity, of intem- 
perance, of superstition, of all the powers of dark- 
ness, issue their challenges to the combat. Every 
follower of Christ, every lover of that which is 
right, every friend of humanity, should be a David 
brave and true. Each one, with his sling in his 
hand and his scrip full of stones gathered from the 
brook of Divine truth, should valiantly go forward 
to meet and overcome these giants of evil. 

This interesting incident in the history of the 
children of Israel affords important lessons for suc- 
cess in spiritual warfare. It impressively typifies 
the agencies that are Divinely appointed for the ac- 
complishment of good. 

I. God Makes Choice of Human Instrumen- 
talities in Overcoming Evil and in Estab- 
lishing His Kingdom in the World. 
In order to defeat Goliath, the giant, and to give 

victory to the army of Israel, David, a young man, 

a shepherd boy, is chosen as the instrumentality. 

God could have smitten down by miraculous power 



284 The Life of Faith. 

the boasting Philistine. He [could have caused a 
thunderbolt from the sky to fall upon him and 
crush him to the dust. He could have made the 
earth to open beneath his feet and bury him in its 
deepest caverns. He could have sent the tiny gnat 
with poisonous sting to strike him in the eye, and 
thus put an end to his wicked boastings. But mirac- 
ulous means were not employed. The work was 
done through human agency. A youth, fresh from 
watching his father's flocks and herds, was selected. 
By his prowess and his courage Israel was enabled 
to triumph. So in overcoming the strongholds of 
evil and establishing truth and righteousness among 
men, God does not call into exercise miraculous 
powers. He could by His almighty hand strike 
with dumbness the boasting infidel and paralyze the 
hand that is stretched forth to do evil. He could by 
an earthquake shiver to pieces every house devoted 
to making drunkards or used for riotous gambling. 
He could make speechless the tongue of the pro- 
fane, shackle the feet of all that trample upon his 
precepts, or overflow with floods of ruin the multi- 
tudes that run to do evil. By the exercise of mirac- 
ulous power He could banish sin and error from 
the world. But this is not God's plan of over- 
coming the forces of darkness or of saving men. 
He does not even issue commissions to angels from 
heaven to proclaim the truth and lead the nations 
into the light. He makes choice of men, of old 
men and young men ; of women, of old women and 
maidens ; He even commissions boys and girls who 



David and His Sung. 285 

have come to know the truth, to make known the 
excellency of His salvation, to tell the story of the 
cross, to lift up the fallen, to break down the strong- 
holds of iniquity, to lead men from the dark and 
dangerous paths of sin to peace, to safety, and to 
heaven. 

How great the honor bestowed upon those who 
love God ! How exalted the call that comes to His 
redeemed children! Each one is appointed an 
evangel of God's saving mercy. Each one is 
granted the privilege of engaging in this noble work, 
and should joyfully accept the high vocation. To 
man saved by grace comes the Divine word, "Ye are 
my witnesses.'' To every disciple is given the com- 
mand, "Let your light so shine before men that they 
may see your good works, and be led to glorify 
God." To all his followers the Master saith, "Go 
ye into all the world, and preach My Gospel to every 
creature." The overturning of the strongholds of 
sin, the establishment of the Gospel kingdom in the 
world, the making of the desert to blossom as the 
rose, and the wilderness and solitary places to be 
glad, is to be accomplished by human agencies. 

II. God Makes Choice of Human Instrumen- 
talities of Various Personal Endowments 
for the Work. 

When David was accepted by Saul as Israel's 
champion to meet the Philistine, the king deemed 
it necessary to array him in his own armor. Pos- 
sessing the most approved and finest weapons that 



286 The Life of Faith. 

could be obtained, he thought that, with these on, 
David would be more certain of success. But when 
he had put on the king's helmet, the king's breast- 
plate, the king's coat of mail, and the king's sword, 
and had tried them, David immediately laid them 
aside. Though they were the finest in the kingdom, 
he sensibly put them off; for he knew that he was 
not accustomed to their use. He simply took his 
sling in his hand, the weapon that he had often 
wielded, and went forth to meet the giant. 

The instrumentalities whom God selects for His 
work possess a diversity of gifts and talents. The 
lesson here taught is that each one is expected to 
use his own personal gifts in doing that work, to 
wield his own peculiar weapon. There are those who 
imagine that to be successful they must put on 
Saul's armor. Too many are anxious to work as 
others do, and if they can not do so they are un- 
willing to work at all. If they could preach as 
eloquently as some they have heard, they would 
willingly become preachers of the Gospel. If they 
could pray as fervently as some of their associates, 
they would respond to every call to prayer. If they 
could teach in the Sabbath-school as successfully as 
others, they would not decline to become Sunday- 
school teachers. If they could give as largely as 
the more wealthy, they would never let a call for 
benovelence go unheeded. But since they can not 
do just as others do, they withhold their hands from 
all work. They are unwilling to assault the giants 
of evil unless they have on the king's armor. But 



David and His Sung. 287 

the Lord does not want them to wage war with an- 
other man's weapons. He does not want them to 
sing as well, or give as much, or pray as long, or 
preach as loud as others may do. He simply calls 
upon them to use the talent which they possess to 
the best of their ability. To all who obey this call 
there is promise of a rich reward. 

This lesson was deeply impressed upon the heart 
of a certain preacher in his early ministerial ex- 
perience, and proved very useful to him in his life- 
work. On his first circuit, one Sabbath there were 
two congregations at different points, where service 
was appointed to be held. He had prepared but one 
sermon, and proposed to deliver it at each of the 
appointments. He preached the sermon to his 
morning congregation. On his way to the afternoon 
appointment he was greatly surprised to see a good 
portion of those who attended the morning service 
on the way to the same place. He became very 
much worried in his mind. What he should do for 
a sermon suitable to the surroundings was a ques- 
tion hard to answer. To use the same text and 
preach the same sermon to the same people and in 
the same day would not do, especially for a young 
preacher. He had lately read with much interest a 
sermon by one of our good bishops. He resolved at 
last that he would, so far as he could, preach the 
bishop's sermon to his afternoon congregation. He 
entered the pulpit. He read the bishop's text, and 
began the bishop's sermon. But before he had got 
through with the introduction he wholly lost the 



288 The Life of Faith. 

bishop's line of thought, and became exceedingly 
bewildered. How he got through with that sermon 
he never could distinctly remember. The lesson im- 
parted, though painful, was useful to him, and per- 
manent, — never to try to fight in Saul's armor. 
With whatever gifts God has endowed us, with 
whatever talent we may possess, be that talent of 
one or ten pounds weight, we should use it in our 
work for God. With our own weapons of warfare, 
be they only a staff and a sling, we should with 
courage meet the Goliaths of sin, and help in ob- 
taining victory for the truth. 

III. God Makes Choice of Human Instrumen- 
talities That are Prepared for the Work. 
David was well prepared for the difficult task 
he undertook. When a child at my mother's side, 
listening to the story of David and Goliath, I 
thought the feat accomplished was beyond human 
skill and power; that by some supernatural aid 
David had overcome the giant; that merely with a 
sling and a stone David could not have defeated his 
huge enemy. But a more careful examination of 
the record shows that David was well prepared for 
such work. He was confident that, using the 
strength which God had given him, with the stone 
from the sling, he could slay the Philistine. He 
knew from practice how to wield the sling effect- 
ually. He had become familiar with its use as he 
had watched his father's flocks on the hills near 
Bethlehem. His arm was well trained for hurling 



David and His Sling. 289 

the stone. With his sling- he had often taken the 
bird on the wing, the wild beast in the forehead, 
and the center of the mark on the ledges of rock. 
Now he had no doubt of his ability to smite the 
giant before his enemy got near enough to touch 
him with sword or spear. So when he hurled the 
stone it went unerringly to the center of Goliath's 
forehead, and the giant fell unconsciously to the 
earth. 

In the work of saving men, in the difficult task 
of overcoming evil, in the grand mission of estab- 
lishing the kingdom of righteousness in the world, 
God employs agencies that are well prepared. The 
effective preacher of the Gospel is one who has 
faithfully studied the Divine truth, and tested by 
personal experience its saving power. He comes 
with well-beaten oil to the pulpit. By close inves- 
tigation having become an expert in Divine things, 
he brings a living message to those who wait on his 
ministry. The evangelist who is successful in lead- 
ing many sinners to Christ is one who is personally 
acquainted with the life of faith, and who possesses 
a character for purity and uprightness that is in- 
vincible in influence. The defender of the faith is 
made ready to meet the fallacies of unbelief and the 
thrusts of skepticism by having devoted earnest 
study to the Word of God, and by practice knows 
how to wield the sword of the Spirit. The teacher 
in the Sunday-school whose class continually grows 
in numbers and in interest comes to his place fully 
imbued with the important truths contained in the 
*9 



290 The Life oe Faith. 

lesson. He who offers acceptable prayer in the 
Congregation is one who has learned how to present 
his petitions to God by often praying in secret and 
around the family altar. He who gives a clear and 
joyful testimony to God's saving grace in public is 
one who has often bowed at the foot of the cross, 
has spent many moments in self-examination, and 
held sweet communion with the Holy Comforter. 
He that aids in the benevolent enterprises of the 
Church, who contributes to the support of the min- 
istry, and helps in sending the Gospel to heathen 
lands, is one who has carefully accumulated the 
funds and consecrated them to God as the days have 
come and gone. In every department of Christian 
endeavor God wants men who are prepared for the 
work to which He calls them. The preparation 
made will always prove the measure of the success 
obtained. The skill acquired by constant practice 
with the sling will always be prophetic of the vic- 
tory to be won. 

IV. Human Instrumentalities are Chosen 
Who Have Faith in God and Belted in Suc- 
cess. 

To the boasting Philistine David replied: "I 
come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the 
God of the armies of Israel. This day will the Lord 
deliver thee into mine hand." He trusted in God, 
and was confident he would prevail. A conscious- 
ness of right doing and an expectation of succeeding 
are helpful to man in temporal avocations. Doubt 
of success and the disapproval of conscience are the 



David and His Sung. 291 

first indications of failure. A man prospers in busi- 
ness who ever has regard for the principles of right, 
and believes that he will gain the sought-for ends. 
There is need of the same principle in order to ac- 
complish spiritual good. In all efforts to over- 
come evil and to bring the world to a saving knowl- 
edge of the truth, God's people have need of confi- 
dence in Him and faith in success. This principle 
enabled Paul, the great apostle, to build up the 
cause of Christ in every place. Though bitter per- 
secution and severe trials met him wherever he at- 
tempted to preach the Gospel, yet his faith in God 
and in success never failed him. This principle in- 
spired Wesley to declare the truth in the presence 
of jeering mobs, and effectually to recommend an 
experimental religion to lifeless Church members. 
This principle gave courage to our fathers who 
planted Christianity all over our land. This princi- 
ple insures efficiency to all who engage in work 
about the altars of the Church in times of religious 
revivals. This principle is the motive-power for 
all in overcoming the giants of evil. It strengthens 
the arm, it gives unerring aim to the sling and cer- 
tainty to the flying stone. The words of David are 
worthy to be inscribed as a motto on the banner of 
all of God's hosts. To every opposing evil, to every 
Goliath of sin, we should be ready fearlessly to de- 
clare: "I come to thee in the name of the Lord 
of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel. This day 
will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand." Such 
faith God wants, such faith is prophetic of triumph. 



292 The Life of Faith. 

V. God Gives to Such Instrumentalities Com- 
plete Victory. 

The soldiers of Saul stood trembling with fear. 
A panic had demoralized their every rank. They 
looked only for defeat at the hands of the Philis- 
tines. But when David fearlessly met Goliath and 
slew him before their eyes, their courage revived. 
They sprang from their hiding-places; they joined 
in an exultant shout, and, while the Philistines were 
stunned and dismayed by the overthrow of their 
giant leader, the Israelites suddenly charged upon 
them, routed their forces, and gained a glorious 
victory. By such instrumentalities the moral and 
religious triumphs of all ages have been gained. 
The early disciples of Christ, each armed with his 
sling and stones gathered from the stream of Gospel 
truth, met the proud forces of Judaism, and con- 
quered them ; encountered the armies of heathenism, 
and put them to flight; overturned the strongholds 
of idolatry, and bestowed upon the whole Roman 
Empire the Christian name. It was the presentation 
of Gospel truth with such faith by Wesley and his 
coadjutors that awakened the spiritually dead 
Church of England, led multitudes to the blessed 
experience of saving grace, and put in motion the 
waves of Scriptural holiness that now beat upon 
every shore. It was the faithful, courageous wield- 
ing of their slings, laden with the solid truths of 
God's Word, by Asbury and our fathers, that Meth- 
odist Churches and Methodist Christianity were 
established all over this land. The battle still goes 



David and His Sung. 293 

on between truth and error. The tocsin of war is 
heard in every clime. The Goliaths of evil are fall- 
ing before the Davids of Israel. The hosts of the 
Lord are advancing in battle array, triumphant in 
every conflict. Before long the shout of complete 
victory will go up. Before long the last strong- 
hold of sin will fall before the conquering hosts of 
Israel. Before long the saving power of the Gospel 
will thrill the hearts of all nations, and the peoples 
and tribes of the earth will be given unto the Son 
for a perpetual possession. 

" Soldiers of Christ, arise, 

And put your armor on ; 
Strong in the strength which' God supplies 

Through His eternal Son]; 
Strong in the Lord of Hosts, 

And in His mighty power, 
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts 

Is more than conqueror." 



XVIII. 

THE LIVING SACRIFICE. 

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies 
of God, that ye present your bodies a living sac- 
rifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your 
reasonable service" — Rom. xii, i. 

The: Christian religion inspires a spirit of charity 
and good works. It blesses us, that we may bless 
others. It gives peace and joy to our hearts, that 
we may bestow peace and joy upon other hearts. It 
comes to us with the promise of pardon, with the 
assurance of adoption, and with the spirit of cleans- 
ing, that we may lead others to Him who can lift 
the burden of guilt from their souls and grant to 
them the grace of full salvation. It gives us joy 
and comfort and hope, that we may be instrumental 
in imparting to others the same fullness of joy, the 
same hallowed comfort, the same glorious hope. 
It is to this characteristic of His religion that Jesus 
refers when he says to His disciples: "Ye are the 
light of the world. Let your light so shine before 
men that they may see your good works, and 
glorify your Father which is in heaven." But in 
order that the Gospel may be a blessing to us and 
that we may be a blessing to others ; in order that 

294 



The; Living Sacrifice;. 295 

its saving power may be fully experienced and ex- 
tended, it is necessary that we make a full consecra- 
tion of ourselves to the service of God. The earnest 
desire to realize the joys promised by Christ, the 
holy ambition to be active and successful instru- 
mentalities in extending the kingdom of God, make 
it important that we give careful heed to the earnest 
words of the apostle, and "present our bodies a liv- 
ing sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." Our con- 
secration must be full and complete. Unless we 
perform this reasonable service we will fail to ob- 
tain for ourselves the benefits of the Gospel, and 
will not be endued with the power to lead others 
to the Fountain of saving mercy. 

I. The; Duty Presented in the Text: "Present 

your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable 

unto God." 

The apostle in using the term "bodies" evi- 
dently refers to the whole man. By this term he 
means more than man's material form; more than 
hands and head and feet ; more than flesh and blood 
and bone. He clearly implies the mind and soul as 
well. The whole man is embraced; all that he is, 
and all that he has. Paul earnestly urges the conse- 
cration of the whole man to the service of God. 

I. It is to be a sacrifice. The term sacrifice as 
used in the Scriptures, primarily means an offering 
made to God as an atonement for sin ; a sacrifice by 
which propitiation is provided for man. The sin- 
offerings and burnt-offerings made under the 



296 The Life of Faith. 

Mosaic law had in them the idea of a propitiation. 
But they were only typical of the offering of Him- 
self made by Christ as the atonement for the sins 
of the world. We are unable to present a sacrifice 
that is propitiatory in its nature. There is no 
atoning merit in any offering which we may bring. 
In this meaning of the term, therefore, we can not 
present our bodies a sacrifice. And there is no need 
that we make the attempt to do so. A propitiatory 
sacrifice of all-sufficient merit has already been pro- 
vided. Nearly two thousand years ago, on the cross 
on Calvary Jesus offered Himself in our stead, and 
with His own blood made an atonement for all man- 
kind. Because of that sacrifice, to-day incense that 
has merit in it, continually arises in our behalf from 
the mercy-seat. 

The term sacrifice means also a dedication to 
God, a consecration to Divine use. The apostle in 
one of his letters says, "But to do good and to com- 
municate forget not, for with such sacrifices God 
is well pleased." Works performed for the good 
of others, help bestowed upon the needy, are here 
called sacrifices. Again, he writes, "By Him, there- 
fore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise and thanks- 
giving to God continually." To render thanksgiv- 
ing to God, to lift up the voice of praise to Him, are 
spoken of as sacrifices. The idea presented in such 
use of the term, as well as in the text, is to give 
something to God that belongs to us. To present 
our bodies as a sacrifice is, therefore, the dedica- 
tion of all we are and all we have to the service of 
God. 



The: Living Sacrifice. 297 

The unrighteous man may be said to make such 
a sacrifice when he forsakes his sins and turns away 
from his transgressions in order that he may ob- 
tain mercy and find pardon. His sins are his own. 
His evil thoughts, his unholy passions, his wicked 
works, are his own property. He may hold fast to 
them if he so desires. No power outside of him- 
self is able to separate them from him. In taking 
the first step towards salvation he voluntarily re- 
linquishes them all. The ear of Divine mercy will 
not listen to the cry of him who still takes delight in 
sin, who continues to pursue the ways of evil. The 
kingdom of God is at hand only to him who re- 
pents of sin and turns away from unrighteousness. 
The very tdol of his heart, if it be unholy, must be 
sacrificed to obtain God's favor. The penitent 
makes a sacrifice when he surrenders himself wholly 
to God. Man is so constituted that his desires, his 
affections, his faith, his will, are under his own 
control. Over these no scepter exercises sway but 
that which he himself wields. To become a child 
of God, to obtain pardon, assurance, and cleansing, 
to be saved, he must surrender all to the Divine 
will. Not only must there be in his heart sorrow 
for sin, but also trust in Christ in the place of self- 
dependence, and entire submission to the will of 
Christ instead of being guided by his own will. 
Those only who have made this full and complete 
surrender realize the power of saving grace; to 
them only comes the blessed assurance, "Son, thy 
sins which were many are all forgiven thee; arise, 
and go in peace." 



298 The Li^e oe Faith. 

The believer makes this sacrifice when he read- 
ily foregoes personal pleasure, worldly [comforts, or 
temporal gain, if necessary, in order to do God serv- 
ice. If he has made an acceptable offering, his 
time is consecrated to acts of religious devotion ; his 
talents are employed to aid in extending the king- 
dom of God; his means are ready to be used in 
bringing the world to Christ. He has laid all his 
powers, all his being, all he has, upon God's altar; 
he has dedicated everything to Divine use. It is 
only those who make this complete sacrifice that 
prove successful in retaining the Divine approval 
and are efficient in advancing in the Divine life. 

2. The offering is to be a living sacrifice. The 
apostle distinctly makes this qualification : "Present 
your bodies a living sacrifice." What is meant by 
this requirement — "a living sacrifice ?" The answer 
may be found by turning to the law concerning the 
sin-offering of the children of Israel. The Hebrew 
was commanded to bring to the temple for a sacri- 
fice a living animal. Its life was to be taken by 
the priest beside the altar, and its flesh and blood 
were to be burned upon the altar. The Jew, in 
selecting the offering which he would make, might 
have said: "Disease has stricken a portion of my 
flock, and some of my lambs have died. I will take 
one of those dead lambs and present it as my burnt- 
offering." But when he brings it to the altar it is 
immediately rejected. The priest commands him 
to take it away and bring a living animal. The Jew 
might have asked, "Why must I bring a living ani- 



The Living Sacrifice;. 299 

mal ? This dead lamb has in it both flesh and blood. 
If I brought one that was alive, it would have to be 
slain before the offering could be made. Why does 
the law require a living animal to be brought?" 
The priest, no doubt, would have answered : "This 
lamb is of no value to you. Its carcass you could 
not make sale of in the market-place. You would 
not cook it and set it on your table to eat. It is of 
no value to you, and is therefore of no value in the 
eye of the law. Take it away, and bring a living 
lamb, one that has value in it." Hence the offering 
we bring must be a living sacrifice, one that has 
some value in it to us. God places the same esti- 
mate upon the offering we bring for His service 
that we place upon it for our use. If it is of no 
value to us, we will obtain no credit for it as an 
offering to God. Having no property in it, we 
would not be giving anything to His service. He 
measures the credit He gives to us for our offering 
by the value we place upon it for ourselves, be it 
great or small. If it be one in which we have a 
great interest, and out of which we could realize 
great profit, He accepts of it at that full value, and 
gives us full credit. To be of some value, to be ac- 
ceptable to God, it must be a "living sacrifice ;" one 
upon which we place a value ; one in which we have 
a substantial interest. 

All the service we render to God should be a 
sacrifice that has life in it. He takes no delight in 
forms of worship that have no life in them, in songs 
that are spiritless, in works that are drudgery. 



300 The: Life of Faith. 

Those who offer such worship are spiritual drones, 
broken cisterns, clouds without water, and trees 
without fruit. Their service is but mockery in the 
sight of God. The sacrifice of song must be with 
the spirit and the understanding. The prayer that 
avails much must come from the heart, and its peti- 
tions must rise to the throne of God borne on the 
wings of strong faith and earnest love. The life 
that meets with the Divine approval is full of zeal 
and good works. The service that is acceptable 
unto God is one of the whole heart, soul, mind, and 
strength. It is a "living sacrifice." 

3. The offering is to be perfect and holy. "Pre- 
sent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable 
unto God." 

The offering we make must not only be that 
which is our own property and that upon which we 
place a value, but it must be holy. The apostle im- 
pliedly again refers to the law concerning burnt- 
offerings. That law required the worshiper to 
bring as his sacrifice a perfect animal, one "without 
spot or blemish." A lamb that was lame, a sheep 
that was deformed, or a bullock that was diseased 
was not acceptable. The stingy old Jew might have 
said: "This is the day appointed for my burnt- 
offering. I must select my sacrifice. The wild 
beasts last night broke into my sheepfold and crip- 
pled some of my flock. I will take one of these 
severely wounded lambs and present it as my burnt- 
offering. It is so badly crippled by the wild beasts 
that I fear it may die ; or if it lives it will not make 



The Living Sacrifice. 301 

a strong and healthy sheep. I will make of it a 
burnt-offering." But when he brings it to the altar 
it is quickly rejected. He may ask : "Why will not 
this lamb do ? It has life in it, and flesh and blood. 
Why not receive it as my offering?" The priest 
would answer, pointing to the law, "Your offering 
must be 'without spot or blemish.' ' ' That law for- 
bids the bringing for a sacrifice of the maimed, the 
bruised, or the diseased animal. It requires that 
which is perfect, one of the best of the flock. 

Our offerings to God must be sacrifices that are 
"without spot or blemish," that are "holy," in order 
that they may be "acceptable." How many are 
tempted to offer for God's service the maimed lamb, 
the crippled sheep, the diseased bullock ! Time that 
can not be spent in rounds of pleasure is devoted to 
the worship of God. Talents that are unprofitable in 
pursuit of worldly gain are used in religious work. 
Property that is of doubtful value to the possessor 
is turned into the treasury of the Lord. The best is 
kept for personal use and personal profit; that 
which is inferior in value is appropriated to the pur- 
poses of religion. An example from real life illus- 
trates this tendency, too often, in human nature. A 
nominal Christian, who had large investments in 
worldly possessions, was approached by an earnest 
worker in the Church, and a contribution was solic- 
ited to aid in the erection of a house of worship. 
The request was very indifferently received. He 
was gently but earnestly urged to make the dona- 
tion. It was very evident to all that the church 



302 The Life of Faith. 

building was much needed. It was shown that it 
would prove a great accommodation to the sur- 
rounding community, and that it would doubtless 
enhance all the property in the neighborhood, his 
own as well as that of others. The effort to obtain 
any help appearing to be all in vain, the earnest 
Church worker turned away. As he was leaving, 
the man called him back, saying: "I believe I will 
make you a contribution. There is one of your 
members who owes me quite a sum. The note is 
due and he has failed to pay it. I can not collect it 
by persuasion or by law. You can have it to apply 
on your Church enterprise." His offering was like 
the maimed lamb ; it was not "without spot or blem- 
ish." God does not want that portion of our time 
wherein nothing else can be done. He does not 
want the use of such talents as we may possess that 
are not profitable for other work. He does not want 
our bad money, our bad debts, or our bad notes. 
He wants an offering that is perfect, a sacrifice that 
is holy. He wants the best we have. 

The best of our time should be consecrated to 
His service. They who give to that service only 
hours that Can not be employed in temporal work; 
they who are found in the house of God or engaged 
in religious devotion, only when business or pleas- 
ure makes no calls upon them; they who allow 
worldly gain to encroach upon the hours of Divine 
service, like the stingy old Jew, bring only a maimed 
lamb, a crippled sheep, or a diseased bullock as a 
sacrifice to God. The best of our talents should be 



The Living Sacrifice. 303 

used in advancing His cause. Has God given you a 
voice full of sweetest melody and capable of the 
grandest strains of music ; is that your best talent ? 
Rather than use it merely for commercial profit or 
for the entertainment of those who crowd the halls 
of sinful amusements, let it be attuned to the har- 
monies of sacred song; let it pour forth the glad 
notes of praise and thanksgiving to God. Has God 
endowed you with a ready utterance and with an 
eloquent tongue? Let your words be freighted 
with the good tidings of the Gospel, and let your 
lips speak forth with all their fervid eloquence the 
story of the cross, that the dull ear of the world 
may be entranced with the glorious news of salva- 
tion, that fallen man may be lifted up by the power 
of Divine truth. Or is your chief talent one for 
managing successfully business enterprises, for ac- 
cumulating wealth, for getting gain? God wants 
that talent to be actively employed in His work. 
There is need of its exercise in all of the depart- 
ments of the Church. It is wanted in obtaining 
means for the building of churches, for support of 
the heralds of the cross, for clothing and feeding 
the poor, for the erection of schools and colleges, 
and for sending the Gospel into all lands. Our best 
time, our best talents, our best possessions, should 
be consecrated to God's service. A sacrifice should 
be made that is "holy," that is perfect, in order 
that it may be acceptable in God's sight. 

And what more appropriate offering can we 
make than hearts free from sin; hearts washed in 



304 The Life oe Faith. 

the cleansing blood of Christ; hearts that are holy 
and perfect in love? "I beseech you, therefore, 
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present 
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto 
God, which is your reasonable service." 

II. The Duty Enforced. 

The apostle presents the strongest possible in- 
centives for making the sacrifice. It is true this 
service will cost us something. There is necessary 
deep humiliation in the confession of sin, and in 
the acknowledgment of guilt and condemnation. 
The paths of sin must be forsaken. The strong 
bonds of evil habits must be broken. Self-depend- 
ence must be renounced. Life-long obligations to 
religious duty must be accepted. Constant warfare 
must be waged against the world, the flesh, and the 
devil. Yet, in view of these and all other require- 
ments of a religious life, this is a reasonable service. 
The sacrifice necessary is more than compensated 
by the "mercies of God," — mercies so abundant, so 
rich, and so glorious. 

We accept the principle as correct among men 
that favors bestowed call for reciprocal favors ; that 
blessings conferred demand blessings in return. 
The tender care of the parent for the child during 
the days of helpfulness and youth makes reasonable 
a life-long love and reverence in return from the 
child. The protection of the citizen in his person 
and his property afforded by the Government 
should inspire in his heart the spirit of patriotism 



Ths Living Sacrifice. 305 

and true loyalty. He who has rescued you from 
great peril and saved you from imminent danger 
well deserves from you sincere gratitude and 
friendly help in time of need. This same principle 
makes the offering of ourselves as a living sacrifice 
to God a reasonable service. 

Who has not been the recipient of Divine mer- 
cies? Who can tell the number or measure the 
magnitude of the mercies He has bestowed upon 
us? We owe to Him all we are and all we have. 
He made us, and "in Him we live, and move, and 
have our being." His bountiful hand has provided 
us with food and raiment. His watch-care over us 
has kept us from evil. His finger has caused our 
every heart-beat. His Spirit has inspired our every 
breath. He ordained the suns and stars in the 
heavens to light up our pathways. He sends forth 
the seasons in their order, and gives the early and 
the latter rain. He causes the fields to bring forth 
plentifully, and carpets hill and valley with verdure 
for our delight. He subjects the wild beasts of the 
earth to our sway, and provides the wonderful 
forces of the material world for our use. At His 
command trees bloom and bear fruit, birds sing, 
zephyrs blow, suns rise and set for man's good. 
Day and night, seed-time and harvest, winter and 
summer, come full of Divine mercies. But, above 
and beyond all these, God manifests His great love 
to us in the gift of His own Son as our Savior. He 
has redeemed us with the precious blood of Christ. 
He has called us from sin unto righteousness by 

20 



306 The Life of Faith. 

His Holy Spirit. He has given us the promise of 
immortality and eternal life. O, the mercies of 
God ! How rich, how abundant, how full they are ! 
Who can tell their number? Who can measure 
their lengths and their breadths ? Who can fathom 
their depths or estimate their heights? They are 
above us and beneath us, and by day and by night 
they surround us on every hand. 

Paul appeals to us to make the sacrifice because 
of the many and great mercies which God has be- 
stowed upon us. He urges it as a reasonable serv- 
ice. How impressive his appeal! How substantial 
his reasons ! See the old apostle as he presents the 
earnest exhortation. His locks are growing gray 
with age. His face is marked by the furrows of 
advancing years. His form is bent beneath the 
many burdens he has borne. His voice trembles 
with deep emotion. Tears start from his eyes as 
he speaks the words tenderly and impressively, "I 
beseech you, brethren." And while the mercies of 
God, like a great panorama, pass before him, point- 
ing to each one, he exclaims, "I beseech you, breth- 
ren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your 
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, 
which is your reasonable service." How readily 
should we respond to his most stirring entreaty! 
While Jesus intercedes in our behalf before the 
throne of God; while the Holy Spirit broods over 
us with tenderest wooing; while all heaven awaits 
with anxious interest, may our hearts make the of- 
fering! May we with willing minds lay our all 



The; Living Sacrifice;. 307 

upon God's altar! May we present our bodies a 
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is 
our reasonable service! Then will the cloud of 
meritorious incense overshadow that altar; then 
will the voice of the witnessing Spirit be heard; 
then will the sanctfying power of Divine grace be 
experienced ; then will our lips be attuned to a new 
song, and our hearts be made to exult in a glorious 
hope. In this reasonable service there is pardon 
and peace and eternal life. Heed the words of the 
inspired apostle ; make the sacrifice. 



XIX. 

GIDEON'S BAND. 

"And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a 
man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, 
Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of 
barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, 
and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, 
and overturned it, that the tent lay along" — 
Judges vii, 13. 

This was simply a dream of a man of Midian. 
It was told by one sentinel to another in the night- 
time. He had seen in his vision a small cake of 
barley bread tumble into the host of Midian. It 
came to a tent, and smote it to the ground. His 
fellow sentinel interpreted the dream for him. 
"This," said he, "is nothing else but the sword of 
Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel ; for into 
his hands hath God delivered Midian and all the 
host." The minds of the soldiers of Midian, who 
had invaded the land of Israel, were disturbed. Al- 
though they had come in great numbers, they were 
fearful of the impending battle, and this dream was 
a prophecy of their coming defeat. 

Gideon, while secretly reconnoitering the lines 
of the enemy, heard the sentinel tell his dream and 

3°§ 



Gideon's Band. 309 

his fellow give its interpretation. He discovered the 
fear and anxiety that were pervading the camp of 
the enemy, and was greatly encouraged. He was 
confident that God was troubling the hearts of the 
Midianites, and preparing his way for victory. He 
hastily returned to his tent, and, calling his band 
into line, said, "Arise, for the Lord hath delivered 
into your hands the host of Midian." 

The Midianites were an old enemy of the chil- 
dren of Israel. They had frequently defeated them 
in battle, and had grievously oppressed them. Now 
they had again invaded the land, and their hosts 
were spread out in the valley like grasshoppers for 
multitude. The army of Israel that was drawn up 
to meet the enemy was small ; yet in this dream 
Gideon found assurance of coming victory. Weak 
and feeble as was his band of soldiers, this was the 
"cake of barley bread." Numerous and powerful 
as was the host of Midian, this was the tent that 
was smitten, "that it fell, and overturned, that it 
lay along." Gideon read in the simple but strange 
dream an indication of success. He immediately 
led forth his band against the enemy, and God gave 
him a complete triumph. 

God teaches the Church by example. His deal- 
ings with Israel of old are typical of His dealings 
with Israel of to-day. The manner in which He 
enabled His people to subdue their temporal ene- 
mies then, illustrates the way in which His people 
may now overcome their spiritual foes. Great as 
may be the prevalence of sin and iniquity to-day; 



310 The; Life of Faith. 

feeble as may seem the instrumentalities for ex- 
tending the truth, we have encouragement to hope 
and be undismayed. God can with weak things con- 
found the mighty. As He could cause the "cake of 
barley bread" to overturn the tent of Midian, He 
can give His people power to overthrow the hosts 
of evil and crown with glorious triumph the soldiers 
of the cross. Using this incident as a type of spir- 
itual things, it invites our thoughts to the present 
need of the Church and the conditions and means 
of success in building up the kingdom of Christ. 

I. There is Need oe the Revival of Pure Gospei, 
Reugion. 

This fact should be forcibly realized by all who 
profess to be the people of God. Without recogniz- 
ing this important truth, the conditions and means 
of spiritual prosperity will not be employed. He 
who is not conscious of the hold that disease has 
obtained upon his body will not call for the physi- 
cian or seek medical aid. A Church asleep in 
formality and indifferent to its spiritual condition 
will not put forth effort for a revival. It is only 
when its members realize their own need of being 
quickened and the importance of saving others that 
they will make use of the means of extending the 
kingdom of God. It is only when they are con- 
scious of the spiritual dearth prevailing in the 
Church and the great number of souls without that 
are being ruined by sin, that they will apply to God 
for help and saving power. 



Gideon's Band. 311 

The sad condition of Israel in the time of 
Gideon convinced him of the need of Divine inter- 
position, that his people might be freed from the 
Midianites. The Israelites, on account of their for- 
getfulness of God's commands, had been delivered 
into the hands of their enemies. The oppression 
which had come upon them was hard to endure. 
Their cities and their villages were given over to 
be plundered. They might sow their fields, but 
their enemies would reap their harvests. Many of 
the people were forced to fly from their homes to 
the mountains for safety, and make the caverns in 
the rocks their dwelling-places. And now their 
relentless foe had come again with his hosts to bring 
upon them greater destruction and more galling 
servitude. The groans and the cries of the people 
were heard throughout the land. God had pity upon 
them and hearkened to their cry. He called upon 
Gideon to become their leader, and said unto him: 
"Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel 
from the hand of the Midianites. Have not I sent 
thee?" 

The judgments of God have not fallen upon our 
country so grievously as they had upon the land of 
Israel. The armies of enemies have not come to 
destroy our cities and villages and homes. Tem- 
poral prosperity may be on every hand. But, spirit- 
ually, how much does our condition resemble that 
of Israel in the time of Gideon ! Who does not see 
what advance evil is making throughout our land? 
Who does not witness the ruin that is being wrought 



312 The: Life of Faith. 

by the forces of error? Every Christian beholds 
the bold front of iniquity, and has need to fear the 
destroying influences of its determined hosts. The 
commands of God are forgotten. His name is pro- 
faned ; His holy day is disregarded ; social impurity 
is prevalent ; the paths of vice and intemperance are 
frequented ; and even among professed followers of 
Christ there are formality and indifference. There 
is evidently need of Divine help that the Church 
may become a power for good, and that men and 
women may be reclaimed from the paths of sin. It 
is time for the earnest prayer to ascend from every 
altar, "O Lord, revive Thy work." There is need 
of a revival of vital Gospel religion in our land, 
in our community, in our own hearts. 

I. The welfare of our country and the perpe- 
tuity of its free institutions call for a spread of Gos- 
pel light and truth. One has said that the stability 
and perpetuity of the Republic depend upon the 
intelligence of its citizens. Not upon the intelli- 
gence alone, we reply, but rather upon the intelli- 
gence and piety of its people. Its citizens may be 
ever so intelligent, may be cultured in mind and 
skillful in work, but still by their immoralities may 
provoke God's wrath and incur His just judgments. 
They may be ever so intelligent, and yet ignore that 
which is just and right, and thus become oppressive 
towards their fellows. To insure God's favor upon 
us as a nation and as communities, righteous laws 
must be enacted and executed, and His commands 
must be honored and obeyed. The leaven of Gospel 



Gideon's Band. 313 

truth among the people can alone create a proper 
regard for that which is right and just, and the 
faithful observance of Christian duty by the people 
is the only certain assurance of perpetuating na- 
tional liberty and true loyalty. 

2. The interests of the commercial world de- 
mand a revival of Scriptural holiness. The security 
of property largely depends upon a right public 
Conscience. How great are the business interests 
that each one must intrust to the hands of others ! 
A want of fidelity insures loss. In view of the falli- 
bility of human nature ; in view of the powerful 
allurements to vice; in view of the many tempta- 
tions to lives of dissipation ; in view of the frequent 
commission of fraud and embezzlement in the land, 
the business man may well ask, "Whom can I 
trust?" The only bond of security at all times is 
the cultivation in every heart of the love of the right 
and the fear of God. A revival of pure religion 
guards against wrong doing, gives power to resist 
temptation, and imparts principles that insure in- 
tegrity of character. The revival of a religion is 
needed that will change and purify the heart, and 
make man upright in life. It is the interest of every 
business man to aid in the spread of Gospel truth 
that all may be brought under its elevating and 
purifying influence. Some only look to the presence 
of a strong police force as a means of security ; but 
the grace of salvation and Spirit of God working 
upon every heart will insure more certain protection 
to person and property than any police regulation 



314 The Life of Faith. 

that can be established. The temporal interests of 
every community are advanced by the revival of 
pure Gospel religion. 

3. The zeal and activity of the agencies of evil 
make necessary such a revival. The forces of error 
are continually pressing forward. Powerful in- 
ducements to sin are presented on every 
hand. Wily snares are laid to entrap the 
unguarded foot. Men in high places, as 
well as in the lower walks of life, yield to cor- 
rupting influences. Young men are led astray. The 
children find schools of vice on almost every street 
corner. Sons and daughters are exposed to temp- 
tations. Multitudes are voluntarily walking in the 
load that leads to death and eternal darkness. If we 
would be saved; if we would have our children 
saved; if we would have our associates and neigh- 
bors saved, we must, like Israel of old, cry to God 
for help, and obtain that Divine presence and power 
that alone can overcome the hosts of evil. 

4. There is need of a revival of religion that 
more earnest Christian fellowship may prevail. The 
especial command that Jesus gave to His disciples 
was to "love one another." This was to be the ever- 
present bond that was to characterize His followers. 
And yet how many there are in each Church organi- 
zation who are strangers to each other! Members 
of the same society, professors of the same religion, 
whose friendships and sympathies for each other 
should ever be warm and active, live towards each 
other exclusive and seclusive. There is need of the 



Gideon's Band. 315 

magnetic power of the religion of Christ to bind 
them more closely together. There is need of its 
inspiring influence upon their hearts, that they may 
love each other and build each other up in the faith 
of the Gospel. A deeper interest in the welfare of 
all the members of God's family, more ardent love 
for the children of God, a stronger bond of fellow- 
ship among the followers of Christ, can only be ac- 
complished by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, by a 
revival of the work of grace in the heart. Then, 
with the soul warmed anew by Divine love, may 
Christians unitedly labor together successfully in 
the work of the Lord. 

II. This Incident in the History of Israel Pre- 
sents the Means of Securing a Revival. 
The preparation made and means adopted by 
Gideon in overcoming the Midianites are typical of 
the conditions of success in religious efforts. The 
work of revival is not effected by merely human 
power. We can not convict sinners. We can not 
grant pardon to penitents. We can not cleanse the 
heart and make men new creatures in Christ Jesus. 
A Paul may plant and an Apollos water, but God 
must give the increase. "It is not by might nor by 
power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." It is the 
Divine Spirit alone that can apply the word to the 
hearts of sinners, and cause them to tremble. It 
is God alone who can forgive sin or sanctify the 
soul. It is the presence of the unseen Spirit, that 
Spirit of Divine power, that must impart to the 



316 The: Life of Faith. 

"cake of barley bread" the mysterious influence 
which will enable it to destroy the tents of Midian. 
Had not God been present with Gideon and his 
band, they would have been unsuccessful. If we 
go forth in our own strength, if we rely upon human 
agencies alone, we will utterly fail. The same 
power that troubled the Midianite hosts must 
trouble the hearts of sinners to-day. The same 
Spirit that led Israel on to victory then, must go 
forth with Israel to-day, that men may be saved. 
And the same means employed by Gideon to secure 
that presence and power will prove effectual if em- 
ployed by the people of God at all times. 

I. It is necessary that professed Christians turn 
away from their unfaithfulness, and consecrate 
themselves anew to God's service. The first thing 
that Gideon did in preparing for the conflict was to 
put away sin from among the Israelites. The altars 
of Baal were destroyed. The groves where the wor- 
shipers of idols had been accustomed to offer their 
idolatrous service, were cut down. An altar to the 
true God was erected, and sacrifices were offered 
thereon. The sins which had hitherto brought de- 
feat upon Israel were forsaken, and earnest prayer 
for God's presence was offered before Gideon made 
any advance against the enemy. Sincere self-ex- 
amination and full consecration are necessary on 
the part of God's people in order to have a revival 
of His work to-day. Have the professed followers 
of Christ become idolatrous in thought or act? 
Have they been worshipers at the shrines of mam- 



Gideon's Band, 317 

mon, of pleasure, or earthly gain ? Have they neg- 
lected the commands of Israel's God? Every sin 
must be relinquished; every idol must be cast out. 
The voice of prayer to God should be heard. His 
presence and sanctifying power must be obtained. 
Christians can not be instrumental in leading sinners 
to the fountain of purity while their own garments 
are defiled by sin. Members of the Church can not 
successfully recommend the Gospel to others while 
their own lives are a denial of its saving power. 
They can not expect their prayers to be acceptable 
before God while their hearts are far from Him. 
The work of revival must begin in the Church. The 
fires about God's altars that are burning low must 
be rekindled. His children must take a deeper in- 
terest in His work, manifest greater zeal in His 
service, and exercise stronger faith in His prom- 
ises. 

2. There is necessary the baptism of the Holy 
Spirit. Gideon realized the importance of clearest 
evidence of his call to lead Israel against their ene- 
mies, and the full assurance that God's presence 
would go with him. He earnestly sought for this 
assurance. "He said unto God, If Thou wilt save 
Israel by my hand, behold, I will put a fleece of 
wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece 
only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then 
shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by my hand. 
And it was so ; for he rose up early on the morrow, 
and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew 
out of the fleece a bowl full of water." His prayer 



318 The: Life of Faith. 

had been heard and answered. But he again ap- 
proaches God and earnestly prays : "Let me prove 
Thee this once. Let it be dry upon the fleece, and 
upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did 
so that night." His prayer having been heard and 
so fully answered ; being assured that he was called 
to the leadership of Israel, he went forth confident 
of God's presence with him. If we would see the 
kingdom of God advanced through our instrumen- 
tality, we need the same Divine presence. Would 
we see others saved, the revival fire must begin in 
our hearts. We need to be endued with power. 
We need the falling of the dew of Divine love, the 
baptism of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts in 
answer to earnest prayer ; then may we with courage 
enter upon the work to which God calls us. The 
early disciples of Christ felt this need. Gathered to- 
gether in one place, with one accord,, they awaited 
the fulfillment of the promise. In that upper 
Chamber they offered earnest prayer. While 
their hearts were spread out before God, 
the Holy Spirit was poured upon them, and 
His glory rilled all that room. Then had they 
courage to preach Christ and Him crucified; then 
were they prepared to proclaim the Gospel of glad 
tidings to the gathering multitudes. And while 
they spoke of Jesus and the resurrection, the Holy 
Spirit applied the truth to the hearts of men, and 
three thousand believed and were saved from sin. 
So we must come to God in earnest prayer. We 
must spread out our hearts, like Gideon's fleece of 



Gideon's Band. 319 

wool, before the mercy-seat. Then the refreshing 
dews of Divine love will fall upon them; then we 
shall realize the presence of Jesus with us; and 
being endued with power may, with faith and cour- 
age, work for the salvation of all around us. 

3. Undaunted courage is necessary for the 
prosecution of revival work. Gideon very well 
knew that fear or cowardice in the ranks of his 
army would be demoralizing upon his whole band, 
and would insure defeat. He wanted courageous 
men to go with him into the battle. He therefore 
issued the order to the people : "Whosoever is fear- 
ful and afraid, let him return and depart early from 
Mount Gilead. And there returned of the people 
twenty and two thousand, and there remained ten 
thousand." In the workof extending the Gospel king- 
dom men of faith and courage are wanted. Infidelity 
with scornful words, atheism with brazen effrontery, 
moralism with fallacious logic, formality with its 
cold indifference, wickedness unblushing in all man- 
ner of evil-doing, are to be met. With these the 
battle is to be waged, and without that courage in- 
spired by the Divine presence there will be faint- 
heartedness in the ranks of Israel and sore defeat on 
the field of conflict. The Christian religion requires 
brave men as its armor-bearers. Jesus has no use 
for laggards or cowards in His army. He calls for 
courageous men to enlist under His banner to over- 
come the world. He wants daring men like Luther 
and Calvin ; zealous men like Wesley and White- 
field ; earnest men like our fathers in the Gospel, to 



320 The Life of Faith. 

engage in the war for the truth. With such cour- 
age, victory may be won. We can then go to 
the sinner and tell him that "the wages of sin is 
death," and earnestly plead with him to turn and 
live. We can then bow at the side of the penitent, 
and sing and pray with him, pointing him to the 
"Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the 
world." We can then tell to all around the story 
of the cross, and make open confession before the 
world of our own trust in God. We can then meet 
the scoffer without shrinking, and encounter the 
skeptic without fear, and with the shield of faith 
be able to turn aside every dart that may be hurled 
against the truth. O, for such courage in every 
Christian's heart! 

4. A spirit of self-sacrifice is necessary for suc- 
cess. Gideon was impressed with this need in his 
followers. Of the ten thousand who were not 
"fearful or afraid," and still followed his com- 
mands, God showed him that many of them were 
not ready to make sacrifice for the deliverance of 
Israel. When he had brought the people down to 
the stream of water on their way to attack the 
Midianites, "the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one 
that lappeth of the water with his tongue, him shalt 
thou set by himself ; likewise every one that boweth 
on his knees to drink. And the number of them 
that lapped, putting their hands to their mouth, 
were three hundred. And the Lord said, By the 
three hundred will I save you, and deliver the 
Midianites into thine hand." Those who stopped in 



Gideon's Band. 321 

their onward march to bow down upon their knees 
to drink showed their deeper interest in gratifying 
their own personal wants than in overcoming the 
enemy. The three hundred that took the water in 
their hands and applied it to their thirsty lips as 
they hastened on to the battle, manifested their 
readiness to sacrifice everything for the good 
of Israel. The deliverance of their land from the 
hosts of Midian was the chief desire of their hearts, 
and even burning thirst could not abate their pa- 
triotic zeal. This same spirit must characterize the 
efforts of God's people if the powers of darkness 
are to be overcome and the strongholds of iniquity 
are to be thrown down. Personal ease is to be 
sacrificed for the interests of Zion. Personal pleas- 
ure must be made subservient to our duties to God's 
cause. Worldly interests are to be considered of 
secondary importance when the soldiers of Christ 
go forth to battle with evil. The success of the 
truth, the conversion of souls, the salvation of the 
people, the glory of God should be the great absorb- 
ing thought, the theme of conversation, the object of 
every effort. Possessing this spirit, God's children 
will find time for secret prayer and family devo- 
tions. Possessing this spirit, they will be found at 
the place appointed for the worship of God and re- 
ligious duty. Possessing this spirit, they may con- 
fidently expect God's saving power to be mani- 
fested and the outpouring of Divine grace upon 
their hearts. Then the house of prayer will be at- 
tractive; then the services in God's sanctuary will 
21 



322 The Life oe Faith. 

be full of interest; then sinners will tremble before 
the manifest power of God, and the shouts of the 
saved will be heard throughout all the tents of 
Israel. 

5. Unity of purpose and unity of action are 
necessary. "As I do, so shall ye do/' was the com- 
mand of Gideon to each one of his three hundred 
followers. They marched forward under his lead- 
ership, each one with a trumpet in one hand and a 
pitcher inclosing a lamp in the other hand. When 
they had reached the place for attack, and Gideon 
blew his trumpet, they all blew their trumpets. 
When he broke his pitcher, and let the light of his 
lamp flash out, they all broke their pitchers, and 
three hundred burning lamps shone out suddenly 
upon the darkness of the night. And as with one 
voice their united shouts arose, "The sword of the 
Lord and of Gideon !" surprise and terror fell upon 
the encamped hosts of Midian, and panic and flight 
quickly followed. Let the followers of Christ thus 
go forth with one purpose and with unity of action, 
and what power of evil will be able to resist their 
onward progress ? Let all of God's people together 
labor for the salvation of sinners ; let all in unison 
attack the strongholds of error ; let all unite in one 
voice of prayer and praise ; let all carry forward the 
banner bearing as their motto, "The cross of Christ 
and the salvation of the world," and their success 
must be glorious. How grand would be the scene ! 
How sublime would be the results ! Evil would be 
put to flight; the shackles of sin would fall from 



Gideon's Band. 323 

humanity, and the kingdom of Christ would be 
universally established. 

III. The Victory Was Complete;. 

The triumph gained by Gideon and his band 
over the Midianites delivered Israel from their 
power, and put to flight their hosts. The "cake of 
barley bread" smote the tent of Midian, and com- 
pletely destroyed it. Startled by the midnight at- 
tack, the forces of the enemy became demoralized ; 
their soldiers were panic-stricken; in the darkness 
of the night they turned their weapons upon each 
other, and Israel rejoiced in their utter overthrow. 
With similar success the army of Christ has 
marched forward from conquering to conquest. 
Men inspired by the Spirit of truth, soldiers of the 
cross self-sacrificing for the cause of God, Chris- 
tians nerved to their work by the courage of their 
faith, and working in harmony and union with each 
other, have always been crowned with success. So 
it was in the days of the apostles and early disciples ; 
so it was with our fathers in the years gone by ; so 
it may be with the Church of to-day and in the 
future. The work of revival may go forward at 
every altar and in every Church. God is able to 
apply His truth to the conviction of sinners. He is 
waiting to forgive penitents and sanctify believers. 
Jesus still intercedes in man's behalf. The virtue of 
His shed blood is sufficient for man's redemption. 
The Holy Spirit is ready at the door of every soul 
to apply the grace of cleansing. "Behold, now is the 



324 The Life of Faith. 

day of salvation/ ' Why may not our faith now lay 
hold upon the precious promises? Why may not 
our hearts now feel the quickening power? Why 
may not our eyes now see multitudes turning to 
God? Why may not every altar be crowded with 
penitents seeking salvation? Why may not every 
Church be filled with the glory of God ? It is possi- 
ble. It is in the promise, if the conditions are met. 
Cast away doubt and fear, O child of God ! Have 
good courage, and go forward; and though it be 
but a "cake of barley bread/' it will smite the tents 
of wickedness and give to Christ the purchase of 
His blood. 

" The world can not withstand 

Its ancient Conqueror; 
The world must sink beneath His hand 

That arms us for the war ; 
This is the victory, — 

Before our faith they fall ; 
Jesus hath died for you and me ; 

Believe, and conquer all." 



XX. 

JESUS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR. 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man 
hear My voice, and open the door, I will come 
in to him, and will sup with him, and he with 
Me." — Rev. hi, 20. 

These: words form a part of the letter addressed 
by the risen Savior to the Church of the Laodiceans. 
They clearly indicate His constant watch-care over 
that Church. They show that He knew very well 
its condition, and was deeply interested in its wel- 
fare. The Laodiceans had received the Gospel 
from the apostles. The truth had been preached to 
them in all of its purity and they had experienced 
its saving power. But now they had lost their first 
love. Lukewarmness had taken the place of zeal, 
and they had fallen into a state of wretchedness and 
spiritual poverty. Jesus refers to their great indif- 
ference in His service, calls upon them to awake 
from their lukewarm condition, and counsels them 
to buy of Him gold that they might be rich. He 
earnestly urges them to repent of their backslidings 
lest the fearful judgments of God should fall upon 
them. He assures them that He is ready to help 
them to a higher spiritual state, and is willing again 
325 



326 The Life oe Faith. 

to take up His abode with them. "Behold/' says 
He, "I stand at the door and knock; if any man 
hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to 
him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." 

This letter comes with equal appropriateness to 
every Church. Has any congregation of the pro- 
fessed followers of Christ declined in spiritual 
power? has its faith grown weak? has lukewarm- 
ness taken the place of zeal in the service of God? 
are its members backslidden and become spiritually 
poor? Jesus assures them that He has full knowl- 
edge of that fact. He evidently yearns for their 
recovery; He utters earnest words of warning to 
arouse them from their lethargy ; He calls upon 
them to repent of their backslidings, to renew their 
covenant of faith and love, and to go forth with 
new zeal in the performance of their high vocation. 
He not only gives them assurance of His great in- 
terest in their welfare, but tells them that He is 
ready to help them to a higher spiritual state. "Be- 
hold," He says, "I stand at the door and knock; if 
any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will 
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with 
Me." 

These words are addressed to every individual 
as well as to every Church. Jesus has full knowl- 
edge of the loss which man has experienced be- 
cause of sin, of the wretched state into which he 
has fallen, of the fearful condemnation which he 
has incurred, of the deep poverty in which he lives, 
and of the fearful destiny that awaits him in the 



Jesus Knocking at the Door. 327 

future. In His great love for man He has come 
to afford him rescue. He calls upon him to con- 
sider his perilous condition, to repent of his sins, 
to turn to God that he may be rich, to accept of the 
offers of mercy that he may be saved. He comes 
to the door of every sinful heart and knocks, and 
"if any man hear My voice," He lovingly says, 
"and will open the door/' He will come in, and 
bring pardon and peace and hope of life. 

I. In the Words of the Text, Jesus Gives As- 
surance of His Earnest Desire to Save Man. 
"I stand at the door, and knock." 
The unbelief of the human heart is ever ready 
to doubt His word. His presence is denied, and 
the unwilling ear is closed to His invitations of 
mercy. "How does Jesus knock at my door?" it 
inquires. "If I truly heard His voice, then I would 
open the door and let Him come in. But I neither 
see His form nor hear His voice." It is the fact 
that we may not see His form with the natural eye, 
nor hear His voice with the natural ear, yet He 
truly stands there knocking. He seeks admission 
that He may save us. 

1. He knocks at the door in the warnings, the 
provisions, and the promises of the Bible. He 
speaks to us in His revealed Word. That Word 
He gives us for our instruction, for our reproof, 
for our encouragement. In His Word He earnestly 
and lovingly gives warnings against a life of sinful- 
ness. We may close our ears to the warnings 



328 The Life of Faith. 

given, as words that are unpleasant to us; we may 
be unwilling to listen to the terrors of the law or 
consider the judgments of God threatened against 
the guilty ; we may say that they disturb our minds, 
excite our fears, and destroy our peace, that they 
surely are not the words of one who is a friend; 
yet these warnings are all uttered by Him who cares 
for us, and who would shield us from impending 
danger. They are the words of a true and loving 
friend. That man who sees the thief trying to break 
into your house and to steal your money, gives proof 
of his friendship by telling of your danger. That 
man who passes by your house at the dead hour of 
midnight while you are fast asleep, and sees that 
your house has caught on fire, yet quietly goes on 
his way, saying, "He is my friend; I will not dis- 
turb his slumbers," is no true friend of yours. He 
is but a cruel enemy. A real friend would quickly 
arouse you from your sleep by shouting to you that 
your house was burning over your head. He would 
faithfully warn you of your danger, that you and 
your children might escape from the devouring 
flames. In the warnings of the Bible, Jesus, as a 
friend, knocks at the door. He sees how sin has 
kindled the flames in our house, and comes to wake 
us up from the sleep of sin that we may escape. He 
shouts to us in His Word that the "wages of sin 
is death/' and that "the soul that sinneth, it shall 
die." As a true friend, He points out the ruin 
wrought upon man by sin, and urges him to repent 
of his evil doings and to forsake his sinful ways. 



Jesus Knocking at the Door. 329 

As a friend, He announces the terrors of the law, 
and by them would arouse the fears of coming judg- 
ments. As a friend, He knocks at our door that 
He may save us from eternal death. 

His voice may be heard in the bountiful pro- 
visions of the Gospel made for our salvation. Not- 
withstanding the deep depravity which sin has 
wrought in man's nature, and the fearful condem- 
nation which it has brought upon him, there is com- 
plete salvation provided. An atoning sacrifice has 
been offered, a sacrifice possessing Divine virtue, 
and through it pardon for guilty and sinful man 
may be obtained. Strong incentives are presented 
for accepting the offer of mercy. In the deep hu- 
miliation of Jesus ; in the poverty which He under- 
went; in the sorrows of Gethsemane; in the blood 
which flowed from His hands, His feet, and His 
side on the cross ; in His triumphant resurrection 
from the grave, He stands knocking, pleading that 
we may open the door and let Him come in. 

In the wonderful promises of the Gospel we 
may hear the voice of that loving Savior. Every 
assurance to those who come to Him for pardon, 
every prophecy of the coming of the Holy Com- 
forter, every pledge of grace to sustain in this life, 
and every promise of a glorious reward in the life 
to come, is but the voice of Jesus knocking at the 
door. On every page of the blessed Bible, in every 
line of revealed truth, there is heard the voice of 
Jesus knocking at the door, anxious and willing to 
come in and save. 



33° The Life oe Faith. 

2. In the convictions wrought by the Holy 
Spirit upon the heart of man, Jesus knocks at the 
door. God does not leave man unconscious of guilt 
and in ignorance of his lost condition. The Holy 
Spirit applies the truth to his conscience, and causes 
him to realize that he is guilty and under condem- 
nation. That Spirit is especially sent "to convince 
the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of a 
judgment to come." He troubles every heart. He 
arouses every soul with the fear of eternal death. 
The convictions wrought by Him are for our good, 
and should excite our deepest concern. It is dan- 
gerous to treat lightly His earnest strivings, and 
disregard His impressive calls. God has said, "My 
Spirit shall not always strive with man." It is pos- 
sible for us to so insult Him in His work upon our 
hearts as to cause Him to leave us alone in our sins. 
When a small boy I was deeply moved with the 
words of a young man who seemed to be in such a 
sad condition. That dread disease, consumption, 
had taken fast hold upon his vital organs. His 
physical strength was wasting away. The hectic 
flush was on his cheeks, and frequent hemorrhages 
were consuming his lungs. He was evidently very 
near the grave, and yet was unsaved. A pious 
Christian woman, deeply interested in his welfare, 
kindly asked him why he did not seek religion and 
give himself to God. "Life," she told him, "was 
so uncertain. Does not the Holy Spirit," she asked, 
"impress your heart with the need of salvation? 
Does He not afford you convictions that such is 



Jtesus Knocking at the Door. 331 

your duty?" A rather scornful smile playing upon 
his pale countenance, he replied: "No, I have no 
convictions in that direction. I once had such im- 
pressions. When the Church in our town was en- 
gaged in a great revival, when many of my asso- 
ciates and young friends were leaving my side and 
becoming Christians, I then felt that I, too, should 
go. The Spirit of truth powerfully convicted me. 
I was unwilling to yield. I sought every possible 
means to rid my mind of those convictions. At last 
I went out all alone, and madly cursed that Spirit, 
until my convictions were deadened and I was 
wholly relieved of the trouble they caused. Since 
that hour I have had no desire or inclination to be- 
come a Christian/' A few days after that conver- 
sation, in a severe paroxysm of coughing, while 
leaning his head upon his sister's bosom, he breathed 
his last. He seemed to have been forsaken in his 
sinful condition, and passed away without hope. Is 
the Holy Spirit now striving with your spirit? Is 
Jesus in those convictions now knocking at your 
door ? Hasten to heed His voice, and open the door. 
"Quench not the Holy Spirit." 

3. In His providential dealings with man He 
is knocking at his door. It is true many of the 
providences of God are mysterious, and we can not 
explain or understand them. But some of them 
are evidently designed to influence us to love and 
serve Him. Why is it that you have been permitted 
to hear another sermon and attend another service 
in the house of God ? Is it not that you may have 



332 The Life of Faith. 

another opportunity to seek salvation? Why is it 
that your life has been mercifully spared while so 
many others have been cut down by death? Is it 
not that you may once more hear the voice of Jesus 
knocking at the door ? Why is it that your worldly 
plans have been frustrated, your body touched by 
disease, or your friends removed from you? Why 
is it that, by day and by night, you have been led 
on a way that you knew not, and through scenes 
to which you were a stranger? Is it not that you 
might be brought to see the beauty there is in a 
Christian life, and be constrained to listen to the 
voice of Him who is knocking at the door ? Every 
means possible seems to be employed by Providence 
to awaken man's conscience to a sense of guilt, and 
lead him to accept of saving mercy. Even the 
angel of death may sometimes be permitted to visit 
our homes to lead us to think of eternity, and in- 
fluence us to enter the service of God. It is said 
that a certain man, who had an abundance of 
worldly goods, being wholly engrossed with things 
of this life, became skeptical and entirely indiffer- 
ent to religious matters. The one child that he had 
was the idol of his heart. Though often urged to 
become a Christian, he constantly refused and 
scarcely gave it a passing thought. One day his 
child took sick, and soon died. The stroke fell 
heavily upon his heart, and he deeply mourned on 
account of his sad bereavement. One night, while 
the shadows of grief hung about him, in his dis- 
turbed slumbers, he had a dream. He saw, in that 



Jesus Knocking at the Door. 333 

night vision, a shepherd who was trying hard to 
tole his flock of sheep from a bare and scanty field 
into a green and luxuriant meadowland. The shep- 
herd often got his flock near to the gateway, and 
then they would tuin and flee back. After making 
many unsuccessful efforts, the shepherd at last 
caught up into his arms a little lamb, and, carrying 
it through the gate, gently set it down in the 
green pasture. Soon its dam and all the sheep fol- 
lowed. This man awoke from his sleep, but could 
not forget the vision of the night. It was true that 
it was only a dream, but that dream was so im- 
pressive. That lamb brought afresh to his mind 
his own sad loss. The Great Shepherd had often 
tried to lead him through the gateway of salvation, 
but he had constantly refused to go. Now the 
lamb from his own little flock had been borne in 
loving arms, it seemed, into the Paradise of God, 
that he might be influenced to seek a home in the 
same beautiful land. Jesus stands at the door day 
and night, in sunshine and in storms, knocking, and 
He calls to all, both young and old, both rich and 
poor, to open the door and let Him come in. He 
wants to save us. 

II. Man's Salvation Conditional : "If any man 
hear My voice, and open the door." 
The acceptance of salvation is not compulsory. 
God does not save any one against his will. It is a 
matter of each one's free choice. A Savior is pro- 
vided. Saving grace is freely offered. The strong- 



334 The Life oe Faith. 

est incentives possible for its acceptance are pre- 
sented. Jesus even comes to the door and knocks, 
but He does not force an entrance. Man's will alone 
can turn the key and unbolt the door. He must vol- 
untarily accept of the salvation provided. It is 
wisely adapted to his necessities, and possesses 
power sufficient for the work. But upon man rests 
the responsibility for the exercise of that power." 
"If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I 
will come in." 

It is for us to lend a willing ear to His voice, 
and open the door for His entrance. The great 
piles of rubbish made by sin are to be removed. 
Evil thoughts and unholy desires are to be cast out 
of the heart; the passions of anger and hatred are 
to be subdued ; unbelief and the spirit of rebellion 
are to be banished ; unholy ambition and worldly 
lusts are to be trodden down ; the way must be pre- 
pared for the coming of the Lord, that He may im- 
part purity and permanent joy. "Let the wicked 
forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his 
thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he 
will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he 
will abundantly pardon." 

Man must open the door. This implies faith in 
Christ. You do not open the door of your house to 
one of whom you are suspicious, but to him in 
whom you confide. It is to accept of Christ as our 
only Savior; it is to receive Him as One who has 
loved us and given Himself for us; it is to believe 
in Him as one who is able to save us unto the utter- 



Jesus Knocking at the; Door. 335 

most. Those who to-day are happy in God's for- 
giving grace; those who rejoice in the life-giving 
power of the Gospel ; those whose hopes, as anchors, 
are cast within the veil, are they who, when in 
wretchedness on account of sin, heard the voice of 
Jesus knocking, and willingly opened the door, and 
gladly bade Him come in. Those who have triumph- 
antly passed through earth's conflicts and gained 
an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God, 
are they who, in this life, hearkened to the voice of 
Jesus knocking at the door; here gladly bade Him 
come in; here washed their robes and made them 
white in the blood of the Lamb ; and now, crowned 
with immortality and eternal life, stand at His right 
hand. 

Is sin oppressive? Is guilt a heavy burden? Is 
impurity the cause of deepest sorrow? Would you 
be made entirely free from its bonds? Would you 
have light in your house and joy in your heart? 
Hearken to the voice of that loving Savior; open 
the door and He will come in. Long has He been 
standing there, patiently knocking. O, now turn 
the key; now open the door; now, without a mo- 
ment's delay, receive Him by faith and be saved ! 

III. Blessings are Promised to Au< Who Open 
the Door: "I will sup with him, and he with 
Me." 

In the simple figure of the text there is promise 
of the richest of rewards to those who accept of 
Christ. No stronger motive, no more stirring in- 



336 The Life oe Faith. 

centive could be presented. He whom we have so 
often slighted, whom we have so frequently re- 
jected, and whom we have so wickedly crucified, 
comes to us on a mission of love, and promises to 
abide with us as a friend. 

i. He assures us of a rich reward in this life: 
"I will sup with him." In these words is promise 
of His presence and help in all the trials through 
which we are called to pass. He will sup with us 
whatever may be our surroundings. We may well 
inquire, How can we spread a table worthy of such 
a guest? When some dear friend sends you word 
that he is coming to dine with you, you joyfully 
look forward to the day of His promised visit. 
You prepare a plenteous feast to spread upon the 
table, a feast that will attest your love and friend- 
ship for him. If the governor of your common- 
wealth or the President of your country were to 
send word that on a certain day he would see you 
at your home, and sup with you at your table, how 
greatly would you appreciate such honor! The 
market-places would be visited to secure the best of 
food that they could afford; experienced hands 
would be employed to prepare the meal and spread 
the board; the richest of viands would be placed 
upon the table in order that you might properly 
honor such an exalted guest. 

But He who here promises to come and sup 
with us is more loving than any earthly friend; 
more noble than governor, or prince, or President. 
It is He who loved us and gave Himself for us. It 



Jesus Knocking at the: Door. 337 

is He who was with the Father before the worlds 
began. It is He who is King of kings and Lord of 
lords. It is He who made the worlds, and whose 
scepter sways the universe. He promises to come 
in and sup with us. How shall we make prepara- 
tion for such a presence ? We are too poor and un- 
worthy to spread a board for such an exalted guest. 
We may only have a crust of bread and a cup of 
water to place upon our table, yet He will sup with 
us. Our meal may be spread in the home of poverty 
and the chamber of want, yet He will sup with us. 
Our portion may be to drink from the cup of sor- 
row, to be buffeted by the onsets of temptation, to 
be bowed down with the burdens of duty, to pain- 
fully endure the pangs of disease and shed the tears 
of sad separations, yet He promises to sup with us. 
Of all of these trials He will bear a part. He will 
impart comfort in times of sorrow; He will give 
courage when we meet with temptation; He will 
afford help in performance of duty ; He will inspire 
hope in the hour of separation ; He will take part of 
our troubles upon His own heart, and give us grace 
to bear the remainder. Let the feast be one of 
riches or poverty, one of joy or grief, one of glad- 
ness or sorrow, He will sup with us. O, if Jesus 
will sup with us in all of life's trials, how gladly 
should we open the door and joyfully bid Him 
come in! 

2. He gives promise of blessings in the life to 
come : ''And he shall sup with Me." 

The feasts of which we may partake will not al- 



338 The Life of Faith. 

ways be prepared from what the poor markets of 
earth afford. Jesus, Himself, will spread the table 
in the heavenly mansion, and there we shall sup 
with Him. It will not be with Him a poor man and 
acquainted with grief, but with Him endowed with 
all the wealth that creation affords. It will not be 
with Him bowed down by the sorrows of Geth- 
semane, or crying in agony upon the cross on Cal- 
vary, but with Him having conquered death and 
risen from the grave. It will not be with Him as 
the persecuted Man of Nazareth, the Wayfarer 
who had not where to lay His head, or the One 
condemned before Pilate's judgment seat; but with 
Him the highly exalted Redeemer of the world, the 
Divine Son of God. We shall sup with Him; we 
shall drink from the stream of living waters which 
His rod shall cause to flow from beneath the throne 
of God. We shall eat of the fruit that He shall 
pluck from the trees that grow along the river of 
life. We shall sup with Him amid the chorus of 
angels and the songs of the redeemed. There, in 
mansions prepared for those who love Him; there, 
with the saints of all ages, with the redeemed from 
every clime, arrayed in white, we shall sit down 
at the festive board, and sup with Him forever. 

Jesus stands at the door of every Church, knock- 
ing. Has lukewarmness paralyzed its members in 
their devotions? Have divisions and dissensions 
destroyed its spirit of brotherhood? Has spiritual 
dearth withered its hopes of prosperity? Open the 
door ; let Jesus come in. His presence will give new 



Jesus Knocking at the; Door. 339 

life to its services; His love, shed abroad in every 
heart, will form a sure bond of earnest fellowship, 
and the baptism of the Holy Spirit will crown with 
success and prosperity its every work. 

Jesus stands at the door of every professed 
Christian's heart, knocking. Has your service of 
God lost its spirit and power? Has your zeal be- 
come languid ? Has your faith grown weak ? Open 
the door, and He will come in, and His presence will 
make worship again delightful, will revive your 
zeal, and give your faith a stronger hold upon the 
promises of God. 

Jesus stands at the door of every sinner's heart, 
knocking, and asking for admission. Though guilt 
and sin have made it "weary and heavy-laden;" 
though evil has blighted with impurity its every 
power; though fearful clouds overhang its future, 
hearken to His voice; open the door, and He will 
come in. And at His coming He will speak words 
of full pardon; He will cleanse the soul from the 
stains of sin, and roll back from the future the dark 
clouds of condemnation. Be it the cry of every 
heart, 

" Come in, come in, Thou Heavenly Guest, 
Nor hence again remove ; 
But sup with us, and let the feast 
Be everlasting love." 



XXI. 

THE GOSPEL MIRROR. 

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass 
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the 
same image from glory to glory, even as by the 
Spirit of the Lord." — 2 Cor. hi, 18. 

The apostle speaks of the greater excellency of 
the Gospel revelation. He draws a comparison be- 
tween the Mosaic and the Christian dispensations. 
He represents both as Divine, that both of them 
reveal Divine truth, that both of them aid in un- 
folding the plan of man's salvation ; but the Chris- 
tian dispensation is clearer, fuller, and of greater 
glory. 

The dispensation of Moses was one of types 
and shadows; that by Christ is one of truth and 
simplicity. The sacrifices offered under the Mosaic 
dispensation, taken from the flocks and herds, were 
only of value as types of a greater sin-offering; in 
the Christian dispensation is provided the Lamb of 
God, a sacrifice full of merit and full of power, the 
great antitype of all the Jewish offerings, as the 
propitiation for the sins of the world. When Moses 
had received the law from the hands of God, and 
descended from Mount Sinai, his face shone so 

340 



The Gospel Mirror. 34 1 

brightly that he had to cover it with a veil when 
he spoke to the trembling- people; but under the 
Christian dispensation we may with uncovered face 
approach the Great Teacher, and without fear re- 
ceive His wonderful message. The types have been 
fulfilled; the shadows have given place to the sub- 
stance; the thunders of cloud-capped Sinai have 
been hushed in the loving words from Calvary ; the 
veil is no longer necessary to hide from our eyes 
the splendors of Divinity, but "we all, with open 
face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, 
are changed into the same image from glory to 
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 

The Gospel is compared to a glass, or piece of 
metal so finely polished that it reflects the object 
before it with the greatest brilliancy. This mirror, 
glowing with the light of the Divine presence, is 
held up before the world, and all with open face 
may come and look upon the glory there revealed. 

I. The Gospel is a Revelation of Divine Glory. 
i. While Jesus was a perfect man, in Him was 
manifested the Godhead bodily. We are unable to 
separate the light of the sun from the sun itself. It 
is of the same nature, the same brilliancy, the same 
power. Jesus is the Glory of the Lord. He is 
"the Brightness of God's glory, and the express 
Image of His person, and upholdeth all things by 
the word of His power." He is of the same na- 
ture, possesses the same attributes, and is the very 
likeness of the Father. He is verily the Son of 
God. 



342 The Life of Faith. 

The words of Jesus give proof of His Divinity. 
He taught as one with authority, and not as man 
teacheth. He spake as never man spake. He made 
known the Father's love as none but He who was 
with the Father could reveal it. He brought to the 
knowledge of men truths that lay beyond the ken 
of human reason or human philosophy. He ut- 
tered words that attest His Divine Sonship. 

His works demonstrate the fact that He is "the 
Glory of the Lord." By His command the water 
was turned into wine at the feast. By the touch 
of His finger the deaf were made to hear and the 
dumb to speak. By His power the blind man at the 
roadside was restored to sight. By His word the 
storm-tossed sea ceased its raging and grew calm. 
The tones of His voice fell upon the leaden ear of 
the dead, and they were brought to life. By His 
strong arm He conquered man's last enemy, un- 
locked the tomb, and brought the resurrection to 
light. In glorious majesty He ascended up on high, 
escorted by the angels of God, to become man's Ad- 
vocate with the Father. By His words and His 
works He justly merits the title "Wonderful, Coun- 
selor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the 
Prince of Peace." 

2. The glory of the Lord revealed in the Gospel 
is Divine mercy. Many duties of a practical nature 
are laid down in the Bible; many warnings against 
a sinful life are uttered ; many incentives are given 
for performing works of righteousness; many im- 
portant truths are brought to light; but the great 



The GospuIv Mirror. 343 

central theme of Divine revelation is the love of 
God in the gift of His Son as man's Savior. To 
this great truth all practical precepts point, and 
from it, as a fountain, all promises flow in a deep 
and widening stream. Jesus, the Christ, the Savior 
of men, is the keystone in the Gospel arch. In- 
deed, this truth is the thread of light and love that 
runs through all revelation. It was the theme on 
which the patriarchs meditated ; it filled the choruses 
of Israel's songsters ; it gave luster to the visions of 
the prophets ; and, as well, formed the guiding star 
to evangelists and apostles. The whole Bible is but 
the unfolding of God's plan of saving the world by 
the gift of His Son; it is everywhere radiant with 
the light shed forth by the Star of Bethlehem. The 
Gospel is a revelation of God's mercy and saving 
grace. This is implied in the text: "We all, with 
open face beholding the glory of the Lord." Man 
could not look upon any other manifestation of the 
Divine Being without trembling and fear. He has 
become guilty because of sin. He is justly under 
condemnation. He is naturally impure and unholy. 
How can he, in such a state, approach face to face 
the Omniscient, the Almighty One ? God's attribute 
of holiness would drive a creature so impure away 
from His presence. By His omniscience He knows 
full well man's guilt and proneness to evil. His 
justice would demand that merited punishment for 
iniquity be strictly inflicted. His omnipotent hand 
could hurl the thunderbolts of wrath upon the con- 
demned. How could man come before the Al- 



344 The Life in Faith. 

mighty if no attribute of mercy was made known? 
Man's own conscience would condemn him; man's 
impure thoughts and desires would compel him to 
hide his face in shame. He dare not approach God 
unless he reveals himself in mercy. Man's only 
hope is in Divine compassion. The "glory of the 
Lord" in the Gospel glass, which man may behold 
with open face, is a revelation of Divine mercy; 
that mercy that forgives ; that mercy that cleanses ; 
that mercy that gives confidence and joy. 

Again, the Gospel is the only revelation given to 
man of God as willing to forgive sin. There only 
do we behold this "glory of the Lord." You may 
ask what need have we of the Gospel? Does not 
God reveal Himself to man outside of the Gospel? 
Do not "the heavens declare the glory of God," and 
the firmanent tell of His wonderful works? What 
need have we, then, of the Gospel, if His character 
and attributes are made known by His works ? This 
question is fully answered by the fact that nowhere 
else is there a revelation of God's pardoning love 
and saving mercy. His other attributes are all 
clearly demonstrated by His works, but nowhere 
in all the material universe is there any intimation 
of pardon for the sinner or provision of mercy to 
take away guilt. You may be deeply conscious of 
your sins, and tremble with fear on account 
of condemnation. You may be overwhelmed with 
terror by your hopeless condition, but where can 
you go for help? You may search diligently 
through all the realms of nature, but you will find 



The Gospkl Mirror. 345 

no revelation of mercy or promise of pardon there. 
You may, with the geologist, dig down deep into 
the earth; you may examine every stratum of its 
rocky crust, and wander through the wonderful 
chambers of earth's caverns ; you will find at every 
step you take evidence of the wisdom of Him who 
laid the foundations of the world, evidence of His 
presence who holds in their places the battlements 
of granite, evidence of His power whose hand 
builded the mountains ; yet you will find everywhere, 
stamped upon every rock, a law, and every law has 
a penalty, and for every violation of law there is a 
strict execution of the penalty. You will have to 
be careful not to jostle the stone from its niche in 
the wall; for if it falls upon your head, you will 
certainly suffer from it. You may walk with the 
botanist at spring's balmy morning through gardens 
of flowers or over fields of vegetation. You will 
see design in every vegetable growth ; you will dis- 
cover skill displayed in painting every opening bud ; 
you will find watch-care evident all around in the 
sending of sunshine and showers ; you may wonder 
at the variety, admire the beauty, and breathe the 
fragrance of the full-blown flowers — all evidence 
of the handiwork of God — but nowhere is there an 
intimation of mercy for the guilty. Everywhere 
there is law; every law has a penalty, and when- 
ever the law is violated the penalty is enforced. He 
that plucks the fresh-blown rose must be on his 
guard or the thorn upon the rose-bush will pierce 
his hand. You may look through the telescope of 



34 6 The Life in Faith. 

the astronomer at the heavens above; you may 
count the stars, determine their orbits, and measure 
their distances ; you may wonder at the many daz- 
zling suns and blazing planets; everywhere in the 
heavens you will see proof of God's power and 
presence and wisdom, but nowhere a suggestion of 
Divine mercy. Every heavenly body is girt about 
by law, and to every law is attached a penalty, and 
the penalty of every broken law is inflicted without 
compassion. There is no promise of pardon for 
the guilty found in the heavens above or in the earth 
beneath. The voice of mercy is not heard on the 
mountain top or in the valley deep. Pardon for sin 
is unknown in all the discoveries of science. What 
can guilty man do ? Where can he go to escape the 
sword of justice and the cloud of condemnation? 
Must he sink down, with all his sins upon him, in 
utter despair? An answer comes only from the 
Gospel of Christ. Help has been found. The an- 
gels have announced the good news to man. A 
new rose has bloomed on the plains of Sharon; a 
new star has arisen over Bethlehem; a new revela- 
tion has been made on the cross. A tender, loving 
voice speaks from Gethsemane and from Calvary, 
saying to every one oppressed by guilt, "Come unto 
Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I 
will give you rest." Jesus has made an atonement 
for man, and now God may be just and yet forgive 
the sinner. Mercy is revealed, and man may be 
saved. In the Gospel mirror shines in fullest bril- 
liancy the glory of Divine love for a lost and ruined 
world. 



The Gospee Mirror. 347 

II. The Gracious Result oe "Behoeding With 
Open Face the Geory oE the Lord/' We "are 
Changed into the same image from glory to 
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 
"Beholding" means more than a passing notice 
or careless look. It implies steadfast gaze, intense 
interest, earnest study ; "with open face" means con- 
fidence, trust, without fear. The seeker of salva- 
tion, "beholding with open face the glory of the 
Lord," is one who has given up sin, who feels the 
need of help, and exercises faith in Jesus the 
Christ as his personal Savior. While thus trusting 
in God, he experiences in his heart the blessed work 
of saving grace. 

I. The Spirit of God is the effective agency in 
making the change ; "even as by the Spirit of God." 
Association with the good may cause the wicked to 
see something of the beauty there is in works of 
righteousness, and lead them to forsake some of 
their evil ways ; but it will not make anew their na- 
ture. Meditating upon things pure and holy may 
impress the mind with the deformity of sinfulness, 
and create admiration for that which is right; but 
it will not change the heart. Even the study of 
God's Word will not cleanse the soul from sin. It 
will point out the way to the pool where the blind 
may receive his sight; it will direct the leprous to 
Him who can completely heal; it will tell of that 
power that can break the bonds of sin and set man's 
heart free; it will reveal Him who can raise the 
dead to life ; but it does not regenerate and sanctify 



348 The Life of Faith. 

man's moral being. Nor can man change his own 
nature, either by processes of reasoning or by mental 
culture, no more than the African can change his 
color or the leopard his spots. To be made a new 
creature, there is need of the presence of Creative 
Power. It is our duty to look upon "the glory of 
the Lord" in the Gospel glass ; but the act of be- 
holding does not effect the change. That is the 
work of the Spirit of the Lord. When man accepts 
of Christ as his atoning Savior, the Spirit bears 
witness that his sin is forgiven ; that his transgres- 
sions are blotted out ; that God is reconciled. When 
the light of Divine grace is shed abroad in the heart 
by the Holy Spirit, man's moral nature is changed. 
The spirit of rebellion against God is subdued, en- 
mity to that which is pure and good is destroyed, 
and new desires and new affections spring up. In 
the heart where the spirit of rebellion existed is now 
found loving loyalty to God; in the heart that was 
swept by storms of evil passions is now found peace 
flowing like a river. In the heart where brooded 
the raven wings of despair are now found hope and 
joy and life. "If any man be in Christ, he is a 
new creature." 

Standing at a great distance from the canvas 
on which the artist has wrought his finest painting, 
while glancing carelessly towards it, the whole pic- 
ture will seem but a confused mass of colors. But 
come nearer to the canvas, examine the work of 
the artist more closely, and it will excite your won- 
der and admiration. It will display skill and taste ; 



The Gospel Mirror. 349 

the very spirit of the painter will seem to be alive 
in all the outlines of the painting ; thought and ex- 
pression will clothe every figure, and the whole can- 
vas will seem to glow with real life. So if you 
stand far away from the Gospel mirror, and view 
with indifference the tragic scenes of Calvary there 
presented, all will appear a meaningless show. But 
draw near with increasing interest; behold by faith 
"the glory of the Lord" as it shines forth in the life 
and death of Christ; then the whole scene is lit up 
with Divine love, and the Holy Comforter, com- 
missioned by the dying Savior, applies to the heart 
the grace of pardon and the joys of a full salvation. 
In the ecstasy of that glad hour you will be able to 
sing: 

" The Spirit answers to the blood, 
And tells me I am born of God." 

2. The likeness of Christ is imparted to the soul : 
"Changed into the same image." Every expression 
of the countenance, every feature of the face before 
the camera as the light falls upon it, is transferred 
to the plate on which the picture is formed. So it 
is with the Gospel glass. When the light of "the 
glory of the Lord" falls upon the believing soul, 
the express image of the blessed Savior is stamped 
upon it by the operations of the Holy Spirit. 
"Changed into the same image !" How wonderful, 
how glorious the change ! The heart that was op- 
pressed by guilt and under condemnation is "justi- 
fied by faith, and has peace with God." The soul 



35° The Life oe Faith. 

that was impure and stained by sin is made clean 
and holy. He who had been the slave of unright- 
eousness and a willing captive to evil, has every 
fetter broken, and is set free indeed. "Changed 
into the same image," arrayed in like glorious ap- 
parel, fashioned after the similitude of the Son of 
God ! Poor, sinful, wretched, man transformed and 
made like unto the blessed Christ! Wonderful 
change! Beyond the expectations of the human 
heart, beyond the thought of angelic mind! To 
realize such a change, to experience such transform- 
ing power, to bear such an image upon our souls, 
should form the strongest incentive to our hearts, 
ever to stand before the Gospel glass, "beholding 
with open face the glory of the Lord." 

3. The joys of salvation are always increasing; 
the change into the same image is "from glory to 
glory." "The path of the just is as the shining 
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect 
day." Every step taken in the Divine life is "from 
glory to glory." The first announcement of the 
advent of Christ was made by angelic hosts as they 
shouted, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth 
peace, good will toward men!" When a soul is 
saved, his first experience of pardon for sin and 
adoption into the family of God is one of glory. 
The showers of blessings that fall all along the 
Christian's pathway, making him rich in faith and 
hope and love, are showers of glory. Triumph over 
temptation, grace to sustain in hours of trial, and 
victory over death increase his glory. An abundant 



The Gospel Mirror. 351 

entrance into the promised land, the greetings of 
loved ones on the other shore, basking in the sun- 
light of heavenly bliss, joining the ranks of the 
blood-washed throng, and wearing the crown of 
eternal life, will only be advancing from glory to 
glory. Every round in the ladder that reacheth 
into the heavens is a round of glory. Every step 
taken by the saint of God, every joy experienced, 
every reward bestowed, is forever from glory to 
glory- 
Come, then, to this Gospel glass; turn from 
earth's vain promises and disappointments; brush 
away the griefs and sorrows of time ; lay every bur- 
den at the foot of the cross, and with joyful expe- 
rience unite in the exultation of the apostle: "We 
all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory 
of the Lord, are changed into the same image from 
glory to glory." 



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